Airport takes steps to avoid scuppering marriage proposals in security
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, East Midlands Airport (EMA) has a tactic to avoid the awkward situation of engagement rings being removed from hand luggage during bag searches in the presence of a wife or husband to be.
It’s the ultimate Valentine’s gesture. A romantic weekend away in a chic hotel, a delicious candle-lit dinner followed by a marriage proposal. What could go wrong? The surprise could be ruined at the airport. Not intentionally of course. Hand luggage searches in security could accidentally unveil the ring.
Anyone taking an engagement ring with them through security at EMA can now contact the airport in advance of their travels to obtain a ‘secret code’. When this is mentioned to security staff on arrival, the passenger carrying the ring will be directed to a separate security lane, away from the glare of travelling companions.
Matthew Quinney, East Midlands Airport’s Head of Security, says: “It would put a big damper on someone’s meticulously planned romantic trip if their big surprise was revealed even before they’ve boarded the plane. Arguably, there are more romantic places to be proposed to than in our security hall. So, out of courtesy to those who have been planning this moment for weeks or months, we have put in measures to ensure we’re not the cause of failed marriage proposals. After all, we want customers to return again and again.”
To find out the secret code, passengers should email love@eastmidlandsairport.com in advance of their travel or, alternatively, send a direct message on Twitter to @EMA_Airport.
Over 60,000 passengers are expected to fly to and from East Midlands Airport during the week of the 12 February to popular destinations including, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Tenerife, Alicante, Dublin, Arrecife, Brussels, Malaga, Amsterdam, Fuerteventura, Jersey and Gran Canaria.