A man arrived at an international airport in North America on a flight from Guyana. He cleared immigration easily. However, as he was passing through Customs, he was questioned about his luggage… or rather his lack of it.
“Where are your suitcases, sir,” asked the Custom official.
“I have none,” came the curt reply.
“And your carry- on- luggage?” asked the officer referring to any hand luggage the man may have had.
“None sir, I came empty handed,” replied the passenger.
“From where did you arrive?” asked the officer.
“From Guyana sir!”
“From Guyana? And no luggage? How long do you plan to spend in this country?” continued the astonished official.
“Three weeks, sir”, answered the visiting Guyanese.
“Six weeks and no luggage? How do your explain that?”
“Well, it is long story, Sir,” explained the man.
It sure was a long story. The Guyanese did not have any luggage because he chose not to.
The local Cheddi Jagan International Airport has become such a frightening place that some people prefer to travel without luggage.
The sight of a Guyanese without excess baggage is like an Englishman without an accent. And so one can understand the surprise of the official at the international airport who was shocked to see a traveller without either checked on or carry on luggage.
The traveller however had deliberately taken the decision that he was flying light. He was well aware of the checks for cocaine that passengers have to endure both at the departure and destination points, and so to avoid all that hassle, he simply chose not to carry any baggage at all.
Since the 9/11 disaster, airport security at most international terminals has been increased. Before boarding a plane, passengers are led through a series of checks, having to take their shoes, take belts and empty their pockets.
I wonder what would happen if you turn up at the boarding counter, without belt, without shoes and without any pockets in your trousers? What then?
The international response to terrorism now entails greater inconveniences at international airports and while many do not appreciate the hassle, they are prepared to abide with it in order to contribute to a safer world.
Locally of course, we have our own hassles at the local airport. And I can tell you that checking through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is quite an uneasy experience. In general most of the staff are courteous and professional.
You will find the odd ill- mannered and rude official but we cannot judge the entire airport by the failings of a few. Generally, there are few problems for the vast majority of travellers. So why the unease?
Well, the unease comes from the fact that every passenger who departs these shores from our international airport is aware that Guyana is a transshipment point for drugs and that many couriers have been caught with narcotics either before departure or when they would have deplaned at their destination.
This creates apprehension and nervousness for the law abiding citizen because with so much drugs passing through our airport, one is likely to be pulled over and searched, one is likely to be taken off the plane for a secondary check on the slightest suspicion.
And when these things happen, it is embarrassing and at times humiliating. But it is a price that all must be willing to pay to ensure that the export of narcotics is brought to an end.
When you travel through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri (CJIAT) these days you have to be alert. You have to know who you are dealing with and be careful with who you speak to and whose bags you carry because there is so much illicit drugs transiting that airport that it is easy to be caught up in a snuffle. And this is what makes the CJIAT such a scary place these days.
In the news last week was a gentleman who said that about one year ago he arrived at the JFK Airport and went through all the formalities. But when he was outside, he had cause to open his luggage and it is when he did so that he noticed it had cocaine inside.
Since he did not pack any cocaine into the suitcase, he was surprised at its presence and decided to hand it over immediately to the authorities.
Up to today, he says he is wondering just how the cocaine got into his luggage. This is just the type of story that makes one tremble at the thought of travelling.
This story needs to be checked out and followed up because if what was related was true, and I have no reason to disbelieve the man at this stage, then consider the risk to the average traveller. Some substance when he or she did not pack that substance in the fist place.
How secure is our luggage after it is checked it? How secure are our carry-on- pieces when in flight? These are questions that need to be addressed seriously.
I urge that this story as related by the Muslim brother be thoroughly investigated so that we can get to the bottom as to how cocaine found its way into his luggage.
I have noted that security cameras will soon be activated at the airport. This is good since it would help to shed light on any untoward activities taking place by personnel at that location and should significantly help in the detection of drugs and security threats.
But it will also contribute to the uneasiness of travelers because when you want to take a scratch of your crotch, you will be wondering whether some camera is beaming down on, or if Big Brother is looking.
And you can be sure that Big Brother has access to see when you take that sweet itch. According to reports on television, the security cameras at the airport are hooked up to the Office of the President. While this gives a second line of defense, it also calls into question the whole issue of trust.
Does that office not have sufficient problems that to now have to be a third eye for offences at our main airport?
I guess the backup tape is an extra form of security and would help in the prosecution of drug interceptions. It will help and help to detect persons at the airport who may be tampering with passengers’ luggage.
But oh my! The camera will also catch Peeping Tom when he snoozes off while waiting for his plane.