Dear Editor,
There has been an on going policy battle at the airport concerning the refusal of airport / airline employees to take their cell phones through security and to use ramp side. According to the policy, only managers and supervisors are allowed to take their cellphones with them through security.
The so-called justification for this policy is that it is believed to prevent criminal activities such as drug smuggling, pilferage etc. However, in the wake of such a tragic event as the plane crash in which Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife and their companions perished, it should be clear that this policy completely handicaps key airline workers.
Yes, there are phones that can be used in the ramp offices. However, the truth is that those lines and phone don't always work. Nassau Airport Development (NAD) Company has been contacted on numerous occasions concerning this problem. I am sorry, but this is no way to run an international airport.
On the day of the crash which killed Dr. Munroe, I argued with security personnel (though it was not their fault) to allow me to take my cellphone because I have MANY numbers in it that I would need to call in the event of an emergency. The question arises, what if we experienced a disaster at Nassau International Airport? Who will have to die before someone gets the message that not every airline agent is a criminal?
Or does the prime minister or one of the members of Parliament have to die also before this policy is changed?
The policy punishes the innocent and the guilty. If someone is found breaking the law, then deal with that person, rather than making a blanket rule and policy that "throws out the baby with the bath water".
I submit to you that The Bahamas is not equipped to deal with a major airline disaster. With policies like these, our hands are tied.
Sure, some would use their cellphones to gossip about what just happened, but there are those who truly would use them to bring attention to an emergency in an effort to try and help.
In my view, there aren't even enough ambulances at the airport to deal with a large aircraft disaster. But that itself is another story.
May God give our leaders wisdom when making policies and laws that affect us all.
- Andy Ferguson
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
