AUTHORITIES, in a major strike to fight the drug trade, recently cancelled the security passes for several baggage handlers operating at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir, reportedly confirmed the cancellation.
The move will see around twelve contract employees without a job.
If baggage handling was contracted to a private firm then this private firm’s contract must also be terminated. These baggage handlers are not alone in this drug trade.
Those who issued security passes to baggage handlers who were allowed access to restricted areas within the CJIA must go as well, if you really and truly want to stem the flow of drugs from our airport.
Top people from this firm and baggage handlers work hand in hand and if the top people are left there, they will recruit whomsoever is hired to replace those that are fired.
I have seen many times before how security do their checks on those that are allowed to board the aircraft to conduct cleaning and checking and whatever they do in the aircraft before passengers are boarded.
So if these checks are done, one would then ask, how come the drugs still gets stashed on the aircraft?
It means that those who are doing the checks on those that have full access to the aircraft are only doing this to put on a show. They too must be removed from security.
A full watch must be on the mechanics too since no one knows the aircraft better than mechanics where to stash drugs.
I have seen people with rubber slippers on checking in with security and are asked to place their rubber slippers though the scanner while some people with thick clogs pass through freely.
Is there a connection there? You bet there is. One can’t place drugs in rubber slippers but can in thick clogs.
I have seen many people get to the airport long before the three hours time frame and as soon as their airline opens for business they check in their luggage and purchase their tax.
Then when they want to go back out of the airport they are told they can’t unless they left a bit of money with the gate person, which most people do.
They do not want to be checked in and be sitting in the airport for three hours or more before boarding where sometimes the air condition freezes them.
They rather would be out in the parking lot spending time with their loved ones every last minute they get before boarding their flight and leaving Guyana.
As far as I know there is a gate security there to ensure only people with passports and who are flying to be in the check-in area.
I never knew there was a rule once you check in your luggage you must check in with security customs and immigration if you are hours early in getting to the airport.
Everyone who checks in their luggage early and have their boarding passes ready and wants to go out to spend time with their loved ones must do so freely and not be asked to pay a bribe to get in back.
When the first announcement is made on the intercom for passengers to board their flights, the people must be allowed to show their passports and boarding passes and go hassle free from bribe takers to check in with immigration and customs. Can you imagine the amount of money these bribe takers make per day on their shift?
Let me repeat again the private firm must be gone, contract terminated immediately once their baggage handlers are fired.
Those in security who are supposed to check out those with full access to all aircraft must be fired, since they are only putting on a show of checks but not to find anything.
The security people who demand a bribe at the check-in gate must be replaced.
People must be allowed to check in their luggage and go back out with their loved ones and await a boarding call for passengers to board their flights and not pay ransom to get back into the check-in area.
In Canada, people who arrive at the airport early, check in their luggage and are never asked to go directly to their boarding gates.
They can sit right there with their loved ones for coffee and snacks and can even go outside for a smoke and await an announcement on their flights when to check in with immigration and customs.
It would seem like advantage will never be stopped by some with authority over others.