Folks,
A couple of years ago I witnessed a truly depressing situation at Dabolim. An elderly tourist passenger had a lighter confiscated from her at the pre-boarding security check point. She explained that she was a non-smoker, that the lighter had no fuel and that it belonged to her late husband who carried it with him wherever he had been in his adult life and through the second world war.
It had an antique value but she was not bothered with that - she took it with her wherever she went because she felt that by carrying it with her, her late husband was present. She had carried it through many airports around the world. She offered to pay to have it sent as hold baggage or with the crew but the security staff was adamant and she was weeping. She refused to leave Goa without the lighter and the security staff would not relent.
I looked around and by good fortune saw an airport official I know rather well. I asked her to trust me and gave to lighter to the official. He met me by the steps to the plane and discreetly gave it to me. I returned it to the owner.
Eddie Fernandes ====================================================
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 5:17 AM
Subject: [Goanet]Ciggerette lighters at Dabolim Airport
<The point I make is that security at Dabolim is nothing more than a joke and finding 20Rs in the pocket of a foreigner is more important than the actual security of the people on the aircraft.> [Dave, Feb 7]
This seems to reflect a truly despicable state of affairs at Dabolim. Hope
others will also muster up courage to share their experiences so that
concerted efforts can be made to rectify this unacceptable situation as the
opportunity arises.
Phil
