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Inspire admiration - not fear
Today, every traveller is subjected to draconian security measures, which occasionally produces pleasant surprises.
- By Joseph A. Kechichian, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:48 March 13, 2008
- Image Credit: Illustration: Luis Vasquez/Gulf News
International travellers know how tiring the process can be. One faces natural challenges ranging from adjusting to time zones just before tackling a variety of regulations.
Immigration and Customs officials treat everyone with suspicion, assuming that one is guilty of the worst imaginable "intentions," simply because one wishes to cross borders. It seems that confused and beady-eyed officials crave to inspire fear instead of building on admiration. How did the world reach this level of rudeness and what can be done about it?
Launching on my latest whirlwind to five countries in as many weeks, I experienced incredible kindness in the least expected spots, and outright insolence where one assumes civilisation has taken root.
Flying in and out of American and European airports, one is stripped of shoes, belts, what passes for sharp objects and, perhaps the least taught out culprit, drinking water bottles. The amount of water that is wasted at these spots is truly a crime against nature.
Somehow, all liquids are suspect, and the habit is now gradually imposed in Dubai and Muscat and many other places. Liquids are considered hazardous, especially water, which one can drink before boarding and buy at steep prices after security.
What is next? Glasses? Billions wear them and, truth be told, they can be used as a weapon in the hands of a criminal. Should we next ban all shades on planes?
Today, every traveller is subjected to draconian security measures, which occasionally produces uncommon and pleasant surprises. When an immigration or a customs official is polite and considerate, one actually notices, since this is rare.
In India and Oman, one is treated with courtesy, and in Dubai one really hears the word "welcome". My favourite was the departures officer at Beirut who bid me safe journey with an inimitable "Allah Ma'ak" [God be with You].
Worst airport
The contrast in London and Los Angeles was telling. Heathrow must be the world's worst airport, especially its antiquated Terminal 1, a candidate for full demolition given the fact that nothing in it works. Several jumbo jets will clog the air-conditionless facility and the transfer points are akin to cattle ranches where bored staff members shout from the depth of their lungs to dump all water bottles in trash bins.
One is literally herded into position while undermanned security checkpoints are clogged beyond redemption. This is, of course, not unique to Heathrow but has become a sadly common experience in many spots.
Los Angeles International Airport was not build to handle the millions that pass through it everyday and luggage carousels reflect it brilliantly. Yet, this is the least of one's problems, as one must cope with such issues as passport control and intrusive questioning.
What is really irritating, and this is common at every American port of entry, is the attitude of immigration and customs personnel who give new meaning to inefficiency. Remember that our vital statistics were safely embedded in airport computers even before our plane took off from Heathrow.
How does one react to an exchange like this one? "What was the purpose of your visits to Oman and the UAE," a heavily accented naturalised American officer asked. "To conduct interviews for an upcoming book," is my tired answer after a 10 hours flight. "Tell me more about your work." "I interview folks and write about them."
My wife is standing silently by my side. She is lucky - no questions for her today. [On a previous trip from Lebanon, she was actually asked: "Do you have any guns?" which must be the height of irresponsibility]. Our passports are stamped but we get no "welcome home".
That was before 9/11 when one was genuinely prized. Not anymore. There are too many people out there who crave to harm us and, by Golly, our officials will protect us at any cost.
It seems that the French Emperor Napoleon has won the legal battle as one is considered guilty in the 21st century unless one can prove that he/she is innocent. Forget the English Magna Carta and the American Constitution's Bill of Rights.
In the post 9/11 world, we take mug shots, fingerprint most, gradually submit everyone to biometric examinations and, perhaps before long, allow you to pass through see-through cameras that will ensure the safety of those who are being protected from the masses.
The onus is no longer on the state but on the individual. We can disrobe, search and, if necessary, torture at will. Fear is the name of the game and one should not complain. A few years from now, strip searches will probably become routine, first on a selected basis and then spread across the board.
Importantly, many police, customs and immigration officers feel licensed to be discourteous. Do you feel safe already? Under the circumstances, how can each traveller change these distressing conditions?
There are two easy solutions: first, travellers should never feel intimidated by impolite officials, and demand to be treated with courtesy. This is not negotiable. Second, I highly recommend Western immigration and customs officers to visit airports in the developing world. They might hear "God be with You" and that most offensive terms of all: "welcome home".
Dr Joseph A. Kechichian is a commentator and author of several books on Gulf affairs.
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