The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Please allow me space in your paper to express a concern I have with the management of the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

There has been an ongoing policy battle at the airport concerning the refusal of airport/airline employees to take their cellphones through security and to use ramp side. According to the policy, only managers and supervisors are allowed to take their cellphones with them through security.

The so-called justification for this policy is believed to prevent criminal activities such as drug smuggling, pilferage, etc. However, in the wake of such a tragic event in which Dr Myles Munroe’s aircraft had crashed, this policy completely handicapped key airline workers. Yes there are phones that can be used in the ramp offices. However, those lines and phones don’t always work.

Nassau Airport Development (NAD) has been contacted on numerous occasions concerning this problem. I am sorry, but this is no way to run an international airport.

On the day of the crash which killed Dr Munroe, I argued with security personnel (though it was not their fault) to allow me to take my cellphone because I have MANY numbers in it that I would need to call in the event of an emergency and concerning what if we experienced a disaster at Nassau International Airport? Who will have to die before someone gets the message that not every airline agent is a criminal? Or does the Prime Minister or member of parliament have to die also before this policy is changed?

The policy punishes the innocent and the guilty. If someone is found breaking the law, then deal with that person, rather than making a blanket rule and policy that “throws out the baby with the bath water”.

I submit to you that the Bahamas is not equipped to deal with a major airline disaster. With policies like these, our hands are tied.

Sure some would use their cellphones to gossip about what just happened, but there are those who truly will help. There aren’t even enough ambulances to deal with a large aircraft disaster. That in itself is another story.
May God give our leaders wisdom when making policies and laws that affects us all.

A CONCERNED AIRLINE WORKER

Nassau,

November 10, 2014.