VIDEO: Long queues for airport arrivals

As of Thursday, April 14, 2016

THERE was visible frustration on the faces of many of the passengers who disembarked flights at the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday as lines at the Department of Customs processing point stretched well into the baggage claim area.

According to reports, scores of passengers were forced to wait in long queues as customs officials at the facility worked their way through a large crowd.

Some feared the long lines were a result of new procedures or low productivity by custom officers due to industrial action. However, The Tribune understands that the lengthy lines came as a result of an influx in the number of flights between the 11am to 2pm travel window.

Officials at the airport contended that custom officers attempted to fast-track the process as best they could, but could not overlook their procedural requirements.

Up to press time, the lines at the airport had reverted to their normal pace.

Officials have maintained that the issue was a “one-off” occurrence.

proudloudandfnm 8 years ago

So next Wednesday between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm there won't be another "influx"?

Sickened 8 years ago

I was there. They stopped every single tourist and checked their bags as well. Plenty Chinese also came through (working at Pointe) and I saw the agents throw away their medicine, food and tea. And, for all that checking of bags, I saw only one Bahamian go to the counter to pay duty. That big long line FOR NOTHING!!!!

juju 8 years ago

What is Bahamian Customs thinking? These (mainly)tourists have paid a lot of money to travel to the Bahamas. They are tired from travelling, and Bahamas Customs makes them wait in a long line to be processed ....for generally NOTHING. This negativity shown to inbound tourists will be shared with others, and THEY will travel elsewhere where their Customs are friendly, accomodating and appreciative of the visitor. i.e. Cuba, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Belize.....just to name a few countries.

SP 8 years ago

......................... Pull your heads out of your ass's and be honest .............................

Firstly, Bahamas Customs has a job to do which require them to follow established protocols to protect our borders.

That being said, tourist and Bahamians alike are subjected to equally frustrating long waits coupled with rude degrading treatment on departure through US Customs & Immigration border patrol every bloody day and not one of you ignorant talking heads have sense enough to similarly complain!

Secondly, having traveled repeatedly to Cuba, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Canada, Africa, London, Jamaica, Panama, Ecuador, as well as experiencing US Customs clearance in Florida, long frustrating waits at Customs are not at all unusual and to be expected and personally one of the main reasons many experienced travelers including myself choose not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Bahamas Customs would also be harshly ridiculed by you people if they failed to adequately do their jobs and allowed drugs, arms and pathogens to enter the country, so they are dammed if they do, and doubled dammed if they don't anyway!

As a realist, I highly commend Bahamas Customs for taking the required time under pressure with the difficult job of thoroughly inspect each and every passenger as required no matter how long it takes. The fact that they confiscated items is proof positive they are on the ball.

Keep up the good works Bahamas Customs and Immigration, you are much appreciated!

Sickened 8 years ago

You clearly don't travel very much as the lines you speak of in the U.S. and all around the globe are not customs lines they are immigration lines. BIG DIFFERENCE! Almost every country I travel to barely has a customs line - they have Nothing to Declare lines where business men with a carry-on and a briefcase can move through swiftly.

As for your fourth paragraph most of our drugs and arms etc. come in on containers, not through airports where everything is x-rayed and security is super tight.

Plus our customs agents are sharp enough to determine if people are trying to sneak things in by seeing what they are carrying and how people react to certain questions - I have seen it. I believe that their mandate of Wednesday to stop and search every single person's bag was either because someone on high ordered it or they were on a work to rule to show just how ridiculous the rules really are.

SP 8 years ago

A long wait upon arrival no matter if its Customs or Immigration in a country is STILL a long wait.

Travel transit through London Heathrow and there are 3 to 4 checks before getting to a departure lounge. Arriving Panama, Cuba etc are all jungles.

Leaving Nassau for the US is ALWAYS a long wait, unnecessarily stressful and degrading and clearing Customs in Miami from any latin country is a nightmare!

Bahamas Customs confiscated goods proves x-ray "super tight" security is a joke based on the competence level of the individual operating the machine at point of origin.

If Customs were actually on a work to rule exercise, they are not receiving what is justly theirs and MUST do whatever is necessary to bring pressure to this lousy, incompetent government....GOOD!

marrcus 8 years ago

yes

marrcus 8 years ago

"one of the main reasons many experienced travelers including myself choose not to travel unless absolutely necessary."

Imagine if all those tourists had the same opinion as you, for certainly a trip to the Bahamas is not "necessary." In attempting to make a point, you have actually made a counter point.

newcitizen 8 years ago

The Bahamas is the only country I have ever entered that has required me to open my bags.

becks 8 years ago

You can blather all you want about lines etc in other countries....its totally irrelevant. The fact is that 90% of the people in the lines at LPIA are tourists.....and many of those in that line will rremember the hassle when they next book a vacation, and go elsewhere. So never forget that the biggest generator of income in the Bahamas is tourism and these days the Bahamas cannot afford to take any more hits in that sector.

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