Defense Show - ExCel Center. Security and getting in?

[Pommygranite]

Had a look at this on The Times Online website: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/global/article682...

I was just wondering how some people get into these shows and also what hte security must be like? Must be amazing!

[Pot Bellied Fool]

I've been a couple of times. Fascinating show. (My interest was military thermal imaging rather than bang bang stuff).

Great fun walking past the protesters.

Security tight but not ridiculous. Thorough friskings & detectors are the order of the day. You can't just wander along & get an entry on the door like you can with other trade shows though

basically, you need an invite from an exhibitor. You also need official ID to get in. Lentilists need not apply...

[st_files]

My parents live right next door within the perimeter they've put around Excel. I went over on Tuesday evening and it appears to be staffed by off duty supermarket security guards.

Me "I'm visiting my parents in XXXX apartments"

Guard "Oh, ok, carry on"

I'd brought my passport and everything!

[nellyleelephant]

As has been said, it's an industry show, you can't just rock up and get in.

I last went in 2005, it was great......well, the show was, but getting home was a pain as lentilists decided they were going to sit on top of trains and screw the timetable totally, oh that was fun!!!

[Toni896]

So squaddies cant just rock up with mod90 in hand to see what top of the range equipment they wont be issued with ...

[Plaice]

We do a few bits and pieces that are in there. Couple of people from the office have been up during the week and have said it's pretty impressive.

[nellyleelephant]

Toni896 said:

So squaddies cant just rock up with mod90 in hand to see what top of the range equipment they wont be issued with ...

Probably not!
Don't really have anything to do with squaddies, so can't comment!

[Steamer]

The Suit said:

Itss a freeekin' tank!!! Runaway....!!

its a slow day in the office

[pokethepope]

"A CVr90 armoured vehicle on the BAE Systems stand. BAE Systems also unveiled a new system to help commercial vessels fend off pirates, including an improved radar system and a laser to dazzle and temporarily disable potential attackers"

NICE! Give it a few years and it will be improved to cut them in half!

[Raify]

I am reliably informed that the BAE systems stand also has a Dwarf security guard!

Cue the Oompa Loompa gags.

[st_files]

Do you not find this whole thing deeply worrying??

Why does the government in this country completely lose any grip on morality as soon as there is a profit involved??

[Raify]

What? That we sell arms?

It's one of our biggest industries, and we've been doing it for years!

[nellyleelephant]

st_files said:

Do you not find this whole thing deeply worrying??

Why does the government in this country completely lose any grip on morality as soon as there is a profit involved??

What, morally, should they be doing then?

[Raify]

nellyleelephant said:

st_files said:

Do you not find this whole thing deeply worrying??

Why does the government in this country completely lose any grip on morality as soon as there is a profit involved??

What, morally, should they be doing then?

Making GATSO's and Truvelo's, they save children after all.

On a related note, there's a Russian sniper rifle at the show called Truvelo.

[okgo]

wow.

I want to get in at that show. Although evidently that is not possible.

[nellyleelephant]

okgo said:

wow.

I want to get in at that show. Although evidently that is not possible.

Get a job in defence and then wait two years....I think it's every two years.

[hugo a gogo]

Raify said:

I am reliably informed that the BAE systems stand also has a Dwarf security guard!

Cue the Oompa Loompa gags.

short-staffed?

[hairykrishna]

Looks pretty good fun as trade shows go. I might try and blag an invite from somewhere next year so I can go along and play with the assualt rifles.

[nellyleelephant]

hairykrishna said:

Looks pretty good fun as trade shows go. I might try and blag an invite from somewhere next year so I can go along and play with the assualt rifles.

Like I said, pretty sure it's every two years.

The DVD show (Defence Vehicle Dynamics) at Millbrook proving ground is every year. Again, you can only really go if you're in the industry, but if you can go, I'd recommend it.

[hairykrishna]

nellyleelephant said:

Like I said, pretty sure it's every two years.

The DVD show (Defence Vehicle Dynamics) at Millbrook proving ground is every year. Again, you can only really go if you're in the industry, but if you can go, I'd recommend it.

I'm not in the industry but I know a lot of people who work for QinetiQ and BAE so I'm sure one of them could sort me out a pass.