Airport Security disgrace

Further to yesterdays posting about airport security. Dominic Lawson went into more personal reasons for concern in his Independent article.

"If we are to continue with the present arrangements and ignore the pleas of BA's chairman, however, then at least we have a right to demand this: that the whole rigmarole is carried out pleasantly and in a civilised fashion."

"This is by no means always the case, as illustrated by last week's story of how the X Factor contestants known as Jedward were regularly mocked by staff at Heathrow Airport (which they use three times a week to fly home to Dublin). The twins complained that they were continually pulled up for extra screening, for the amusement of the security officials; they finally made a formal complaint when a member of Heathrow's staff tried to force one of the twins to remove his trousers and the leg brace he wears to protect a broken ankle."

"BAA has now emailed an apology to the twins, admitting that "nothing excuses the behaviour". One would very much like to have the official responsible named and identified, but that will never happen, a fact which became apparent to me after my father had a similarly unpleasant experience at Gatwick last year. He has a lot of trouble with his legs (which has involved surgery) and so complained that he could not take off his shoes, as demanded at the security check, unless a chair were provided. This was eventually done with such spectacular gracelessness that my father told the security officer, after all the scanning was completed, that his attitude was disgraceful. At this point a uniformed, more senior, officer emerged, demanded my father hand over his passport and, when he refused, rang ahead to the easyJet flight and told them not to allow my father on the plane, lying that he had "not passed through security".

Eventually my father managed to get on a later flight to his destination. When he wrote to BAA to complain about its staff's behaviour, he was immediately reimbursed his extra fare – an admission of improper behaviour, one would have thought – but then the company's response to his request to know the identity of the security officer, and whether or not the man had been reprimanded, was to say that this was not possible "because of the Data Protection Act". Isn't it priceless that people who act with such contempt for the freedoms of others can be so quick to hide behind civil liberties legislation in order to evade proper exposure?" Independent 2/11/10

What a litany of abuse is taking place in the name of 'security.' A passenger travelling from Glasgow to Islay by plane had an even more alarming incident. As she waited in the Departure Lounge she asked a female official if there was a place to buy a bottle of water. The official was very offhand and dismissive. So much so that the passenger asked for her name. At this, the official turned her name badge over so her name could not be read and stonked off. End of story? No way. What followed illustrates perfectly what happens when nameless officials are given powers beyond their wildest imaginings.

The passenger boarded the small plane. After settling in she was approached by another official and asked to leave the plane. As she got off she was met by two armed policemen who said she was being questioned under anti-terror legislation. She was escorted away in full view of the remaining passengers. 

What happened next on the plane was astonishing. The Stewardess asked all the passengers to check that every item of luggage was theirs and could be accounted for. The seat where the removed passenger had sat was then systematically stripped of all its foam padding, right down to the bare metal frame. While this was going on her bag had been removed from the cargo hold, loaded onto a trolley and carried away to remote part of the airfield. By this time several passengers had become very alarmed at what was happening. The flight had also been seriously delayed while all this went on. 

The passenger was interviewed by the police who explained that she had been reported for taking pictures with her mobile phone in the Departure Lounge. She told the officers that she had a new mobile phone and was using the waiting time to get acquainted with its applications. She also told them about her run in with the official. The officers apparently realised they were involved in something innocent and became very helpful. They reunited her with her bag and also helped her get somewhere to stay.

As a frequent user of the Glasgow Airport the passenger found the experience very scary and intimidating. To her massive credit she took action and complained to the Airport Authorities. One of whom apologised but the airline did not. And there it stands. What happened to the malicious official? 

Just how many of these 'revenge' accusations are taking place? How many malicious searches happen on a daily basis? How many good looking young women get called over for extra attention? And what right of redress has someone with the bottle to challenge these bastards got? 

It takes a lot of nerve to take on 'authority' in all its pomp and especially over so-called 'security' issues. Our supine Parliamentarians can harrumph all they like but the balance between the state and the individual needs redressing urgently.