‘The job kills any life really’: secrets of a UK airport security officer

Stansted and others launch hiring drive, but staff talk of 4am starts, low pay and hours on their feet

Antisocial work hours, long days on your feet, and dealing with impatient and sometimes unpleasant passengers. Such is the life of an airport security officer.

Their role is to check passengers and their luggage before boarding, and they are key to ensuring safety and the smooth running of an airport. But the work is not well paid, and airports are struggling to recruit enough people to staff the X-ray machines and metal detectors as air travel rebounds after Covid.