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What a bad impression at airport
Saturday, 20 June 2009
I would like to add my comments to those expressed in your paper about Belfast International Airport security staff and contrast their behaviour with staff at Luton Airport.
At Belfast International Airport my walking-aid was taken away for inspection and only returned after much pleading by me. During my discomfort, as I cannot stand unaided, the staff were totally uninterested in my plight.
At Luton Airport my walking-aid was quickly checked by staff who were kind, sympathetic and courteous — everything Belfast was not — and the staff helped me to a seat until the check was complete.
It's such a pity that, in addition to the unpleasant attitude conveyed to me, that through the mean-spirited behaviour of Aldergrove security staff, visitors here are given a dreadful impression to take from the province. An elderly couple from the US were treated par
ticularly badly at the same time I was awaiting the conclusion of my search and they commented that they had never been treated in such a way anywhere else on their travels.
If other airports can treat travellers with courtesy while doing a difficult job, why should we have to put up with humiliating experiences each time we leave the country?
Disgruntled Traveller
Lisburn
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OMG, Belfast International Airport security staff... I must say I have not met that number of genuinely stupid and petty people concentrated in one place. As far as I see there are hundreds of people who suffered at the hands of those security guards. If we can unite and put through the common complaint, it would be a major thing that could have a real impact! All the victims unite!!!
Posted by Jacob Zapatero | 01.07.09, 14:00 GMT
I too find the security staff all too rude at Belfast International Airport. Goodness knows what opinion foreigners take away with them. My sister is a regular traveller also and was made to dismantle her pram. She had to let her six year old have the baby to hold as no security staff would help her. They seem to be gleeful when they have to search your bag, it must brighten their day. They need to go on more customer service training courses.
Posted by JC | 24.06.09, 10:03 GMT
Its not that bad, at least your getting out of this place. If you really want to see ignorance and bad service, try Heathrow T1. It's soul destroying.
Posted by William | 23.06.09, 13:04 GMT
robbo, Do you have a disability that necessitates you using a walking aid?
No, then how dare you say this correspondant is too easily humiliated!
That could only be "obvious" to a completely ignorant and uncaring person.
Posted by Anne | 21.06.09, 21:24 GMT
Belfast airport staff and vendors act like they are doing you a favour. Air craft arrive from 6am but no one can get their lazy ass out of bed to be of service. Car rental companies expect you to wait until 9.30 to pick up an already paid for vehicle and the bleary eyed information desk think you are an inconvinence to thier cup of tea. Last time I was there arriving from Toronto the airport was filled with sleeping or crying children, distressed older people, of course nothing was opened.
Posted by fred needham | 21.06.09, 05:54 GMT
Just use Dublin's fabulous airport - an hour and half's drive away... Belfast International is a squalid tip of a place, who clearly don't want or deserve any customers.
Users of this third world dump, when they have a much better choice on their doorstep, only have themselves to blame.
My solution would be to pull it down and use the freed up space as a giant waste management site for the whole country, instead of building that toxic cancer factory on the Belfast foreshore.
Posted by man dingo | 20.06.09, 23:42 GMT
I too travel through the airport on a regular basis and find the security staff to be very rude and unhelpful when it comes to passengers with impediments; on the other hand you have to take into consideration that belfast international airport is one of the most high risk airports to travel through and therefore security is a top priority but offering people like yourself a seat while you wait seems harmless!
Posted by David | 20.06.09, 23:33 GMT
You're obviously too easily humiliated!
Posted by robbo | 20.06.09, 22:24 GMT
There is no excuse for bullying - you simply cannot dress it up as 'in the interests of security.' It won't wash - as other airports are able to successfully go about their business without recourse to this despicable sort of behaviour. These people need dealt withand sent on some sort of training course. If they refuse then replace them with Romanians.
Posted by Donegore | 20.06.09, 09:39 GMT