The most aggravating airport security observations that I have witnessed in my many years of travelling throughout the world, sadly to say it is at our very own Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Security personnel and many sophisticated security screening devices took over the majority of airports throughout the world after September 11th. This act not to be discounted could, and should be regarded as the largest global stimulus package ever created. Security jobs and security machinery changed the way the world traveled forever. In some cases it took the joy out travelling, even though in many cases and in reality gave a false sense of security.
The Bahamas Government spends millions of advertising dollars to bring visitors to our shores every year. On entrance to our national airport, the three piece band with their discolored uniforms and busted speakers, do their best to welcome guest with native tunes off coarse the visitors don’t understand what the band is playing or exhibiting. At least with Junkanoo music, they are guaranteed to feel rhythm, excitement and something culturally authentic.
On the other hand, upon leaving the island of New Providence no matter how great a vacation the visitor may have experienced, the double security and unnecessary delayed screening, with no space along with the numerous check points at LPIA leaves visitors and residence alike very angry, confused, and looking at the island of New Providence, Bahamas as the worst choice destination. Many whom I have spoken to after their ordeal question the airport authorities and security personnel’s intellect, as not having enough common sense to know that you do not make the airport a retirement park for ex police officers who are not global or experienced travelers, or have not traveled outside the Bahamas or understand the complexities of modern airport security. After all, they were probably stationed in a remote island during their entire career.
We may not have the proper size or designed airport at this time to support the amount of travelers that come to our island, but we do have the intellectual capacity to know when a system is flawed and needs to be corrected. We should not allow the TSA or other foreign jurisdictions to dictate the operational and security measures at our airport that is totally inappropriate and contributes to the inefficiencies, disruptions and delays in visitor and citizen travel abroad. US Customs and Immigration should have realized by now that two officers cannot man a destination like the Lynden Pindling International Airport and should at a minimum, open up other booths to accommodate the large numbers at a convenient or peak travel periods.
I urge the respective individuals that are responsible at the airport to please reexamine the entire situation at LPIA especially the senseless double security screening process and implement proactive corrective measures that will not impede or leave as it so often does, the worst impression of the Bahamas in hearts and minds of the travelers to island of New Providence.
Anthony U Bostwick Jr.
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