Hi Readers,

There I was on a weekend trip to the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean. I was super prepared travelling with a carry-on that contained my sandals, shorts, jeans, fresh underwear and toiletries all adhering to current global airport security requirements.

I checked in online to save the hassle of doing so at the airport, which in this case was Munich, Germany. My flight was via Barcelona, Spain with a two hour layover and then onto Palma De Mallorca.

At Munich the security was as expected, with belt off, watch off, jacket off, laptop out and walk through the scanner. No beeping so all clear and my possessions were kosher too.

However, I was only asked to show my boarding pass to the attendant at the x-ray machine but no passport. I boarded the plane with only the boarding card being scanned with no requirement for the passport.

At Barcelona airport I wandered around the retail malls of the airport and took some refreshments before boarding the flight to my final destination. Again no passport or ID card required only my boarding card. Having only carry-on luggage I walked straight out of the airport in Palma again without any border control.

Having had a wonderful, albeit short weekend on this sunny isle I departed back for Munich. At Palma the only person who looked at my passport was the check-in attendant. At the security checkpoint only my boarding card was requested but my 100ml liquids bag was not checked or required to be out of my carry-on bag. I boarded the plane with only my boarding card being requested.

My return journey was via Madrid Barajas which in my view is a horrible airport for a capital city. The flight from Palma was delayed and thus I had less than an hour to get to my Munich flight. However, in Palma they could not give me a boarding card for the Munich leg.

At Barajas I run to my gate for Munich but the flight is delayed arriving due to Spanish air traffic controllers strike - again. I am told by an attendant that I need to go out and check in to get my boarding card.

I walk out of the departure gates to check-in and get my boarding card (passport shown) and walk right through security without any further need for my passport. The next time I show my passport is at the car rental company in Munich airport.

My story just shows the total lack of security consciousness at European airports, especially when both Germany and Spain have experienced terrorist acts in the past. I could have been anyone and my 100ml liquid containers could have been used improperly.

So my question is, how secure are your business premises, property and people? At the end of the day airports and airlines are businesses. Currently, I believe the security approach at airports is topsy-turvy and a major re-think needs to be executed to offer safe, speedy and comfortable transition for passengers.

I believe security consulting will be a major area where expertise will be required and growth in the future. This is itself will create jobs and opportunities making airports and airlines even bigger employers around the world.

Shah