Passing through Airport Security - A harrowing experience in Canada
INSULTING remarks, giggling, harassment and the whiff of pot smoke, are some of the complaints from passengers who passed through Canadian airports.
A former customs officer complained about a screener who giggled with one of her colleagues as she rifled through belongings. "Treating people with respect does not take much. I hope you are able to speak to this individual and enforce the importance of being courteous, professional and nice to people."
Another complainant said, "He was rude, nasty and barking orders, when I brought to his attention that he never once used the word 'please', the response was: 'According to protocol I don't have to say please or be any way pleasant with you."
A passenger found the distinct aroma of marijuana on two officers.
In his report on the Air India disaster, former Supreme Court justice John Major found that while security at Canadian airports had improved over the decades, "the human dimension of aviation security remains a concern. - The tedious but often stressful job can be frustrating for staff - involving lengthy delays in obtaining security clearances, poor pay and a perception of low prestige