Private Security Firms

Why do private security guards question passengers before boarding a flight ?

This was unusual. Before boarding a flight to North America, private security guards, NOT government Customs officers, were questioning, almost interrogating, each and every passenger before clearing them to board the flight. I didn't get how and why a private security guard working for a private company has the authority to determine this. I also don't get why passengers are questioned at all ? Oh and they had laptops but i figured that was to scan the passports and send the info to the US, i think ? Does anybody know more about this ?

Public Comments

1. Since you have asked the question in the Netherlands section I assume you are talking about Schiphol airport. The Dutch government officers only check that foreign visitors did not overstay their authorized stay, they are not interested in their documentation for the United States or do not check the passport validation of those leaving the country. The United States law however provides that transportation carriers may be liable for improperly documented passengers brought to the U.S. Bringing in alien without a valid unexpired entry document may result in a fine of up to $3,300.00. Therefore the airlines make use of private security guards tasked to assure that every passenger has a valid passport and a visa if required. Furthermore the passports of the passengers are scanned and the information is electronically submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Those who do not have an ESTA approval or are flagged for admission to the United States will be taken off the plane before it starts. If you should be interested in reading more about this system check the attached link. http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/carrier_info_guide/carrier_info_guide.ctt/carrier_info_guide.pdf ..
2. Because they can! Security "officers" have a lot more authority then you think. Did you ever ask or wonder to yourself, who hires these private security firms for service. The airline company, governments ect. They are given authority by these companies to interrogate, detain, arrest, and protect passengers/employees/property. You can chose to refuse to answer any of their questions, but they can deny you access to the plane, and you will have to turn around. Every where you go whether a hotel, concert, mall, amusement park, museum, anywhere you go its run mostly by security and not the police.
3. They are profiling behavior as part of Schiphol's research into the best security measures. In addition to the interviewers, there are many undercover security officers wandering around doing the same thing. They are trained in behavioral science and looking for suspicious responses that could indicate a passenger is smuggling or just has something to hide. It's a final check before flights, to try to pick up on anything the regular security measures (mostly machines) might have missed. I looked it up after the last time I went through Amsterdam, if you search Schiphol profiling, you'll find lots of articles.