Following the advice I got from the user Semaphore I would like to split my original airport security question into separate parts and go into a bit more detail in regards to what I would like to know about these pictures.
Here is a press article picture, that seems to have been taken at Zurich Kloten airport, with passengers seen queuing for some booths, where they will be "inquired on weapons". What does that mean? What is actually happening inside those things? Why is it separate for ladies and gentlemen? That just looks extremely weird...
Was there some kind of security procedure, exclusive to Swissair flights, or to the Swiss airports? The description mentions a heavy price for security on Swissair flights...
If such a thing existed, when did they drop that, in favor of the normal screening? I saw a picture of a Swiss airport checkpoint, dated 1982, and at the time it appeared normal, same as elsewhere. But why was it originally so different from other airports and what was the procedure like? What was the heavy price there?
It seems that Swiss airports started deploying police officers to meet passengers at the airstairs immediately prior to them boarding their flights, and look for the clues, such as suspicious behavior circa 1969. Then soon after the Dowson Field, where one of the planes was a Swissair flight, they went on to screen everyone. But I could not find any more information on what that screening would look like in practice.
If anyone knows what this thing is all about, and how it used to work back then, I would absolutely love to hear that. So any explanations strongly appreciated! Thank You!
