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An abuse of privilege

Nov 30, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter captioned, “Attitude of some Govt. officials frustrates security at CJIA,” by Frustrated Airport Security (Kaieteur News 11-28-10), in which it was stated that some state officials regularly refuse to be checked by the officers at the security check point for outgoing passengers.
I once saw an official attempt to pass a European male passenger through the check point without the mandatory checks being done. I objected and the European then subjected himself to the checks much to the annoyance of the ‘big one’. Outgoing passengers must always object to persons bypassing security.
Failure to do so compromises our safety. I now take this opportunity to highlight another area of abuse by airport officials at the incoming immigration lounge.
On 10-29-10 I arrived at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Delta 383 flight at about 7:15 AM. As I walked to the entrance to the terminal my path was temporarily blocked by a group of about six passengers, who were being greeted on the tarmac by a ‘big one’, who was subsequently identified to me by name, with the description, “he own the airport.”
Not only did this ‘big one’ meet his party on the tarmac, but he proceeded to take the group to the VIPs, Diplomats, Cabin Crew section of immigration.
I later learned that they were neither VIPs nor Diplomats. I knew they were not cabin crew. We all became totally disgusted when our legitimate cabin crew – namely the Captain and Co Pilot were made to stand in line and wait until the party had been processed.
This seemed to be a regular practice of this ‘big one’. I usually travel to Guyana thrice annually and I recall seeing this so-called ‘big one’ escorting passengers through the booth reserved for VIPs, Diplomats, and Cabin Crew on my previous trips.
I would like to know by what law, regulation, or statute is this individual authorised to meet incoming passengers on the tarmac and take them through the immigration booth reserved for VIPs, Diplomats, and Cabin Crew?
Malcolm Harripaul

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