Re airport scanners, see below
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8547416.stm
Personnally, I only use Ryanair for day trips, I don't like the hassle when it comes to bags and charges, I have found some of their staff extremly rude (bordering on offensive) and I have had too many banged down on the runway landings in Dublin for my liking
City jet are fantastic, if expensive, but City Airport is great as well, although not really suited for kids. I also love Air Canada. I'll always remember a few years ago missing a connection in Heathrow due to a security delay in Dublin, Air Canada rebooked me speedily at no extra charge. There was a stressed out women in the queue in front of me with a baby who'd pooped who had also missed her connection. Whilst one of the Air Canada staff rebooked the woman, her colleague changed the baby's nappy and they were so nice about everything.
My tips,
avoid getting a black cab at Luton airport, chances are the driver won't speak English. If you fly to East Midlands, don't go looking for the taxi rank, there isn't one, you'll have to queue for a mini cab
If you are flying Ryanair to Stansted, remember that the Stansted express train is very dear (ballpark €30 for a return), suddenly that cheap Ryanair flight to London mightn't look so cheap
Avoid Charles de Gaulle if at all possible, I detest the place