Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
A recent incident at the Bengaluru Airport, one of the busiest airports in India,stirred a major controversy regarding the severe lack of management at security points inside the airport.
The incident was regarding a woman who was asked to remove her clothes in front of hundreds and thousands of passengers during the security check.
It has started a conversation about how airports are unable to maintain decorum and are causing trouble to passengers who come with the expectation that their journey would be smooth and safe.
Now, airport baggage check-in and security are major issues for many passengers as many have complained about the lack of assistance and support from the staff.
There have been several incidents last year where passengers were denied boarding only for being a few minutes late.
In May 2022,a woman suffered a severe panic attack where she collapsed on the floor because she was denied entry for being only 5 minutes late.
The airline refused to allow them to board the plane despite the woman and her family explaining to them that they could not hurry because the woman is diabetic and has a heart condition.
As per the rules,if a passenger is carrying luggage that is above 10 kg,they must put their luggage in for check-in and should arrive at the airport 2 hours prior.
Boarding usually stops 40 minutes to 1 hour before boarding time.At the Bengaluru airport,the CISF is so short-staff and unorganized that even if passengers check-in in on time,the security takes so long that they inevitably get delayed for boarding.
On February 2022,a young woman traveling from Delhi to Kolkata to meet her ailing grandparent was denied boarding for a similar reason.
Although she arrived 2.5 hours prior to take-off,her baggage check-in and security check took so much time that she reached the boarding gate and was denied entry.
To make matters worse,the airline boarding management tore her boarding pass,creating a scene and disrespecting the passenger.
Such inconsiderate behavior causes major distress to passengers.Not only do they spend a lot of money,but they have destinations to reach,and be it for a holiday,work,or an emergency,a passenger’s reason to travel is always valid.
Many have started speculating that it is almost like a business strategy implemented by airline companies to earn more money.
The passengers,who are clearly in a lot of anxiety,are forced to take a different plane for which they have to pay.
They put the blame on the passengers for being late without understanding their reason or giving them the benefit of the doubt.
It is the responsibility of the passengers to reach the airport on time,but by no means can an airline company harass them just because they were unable to reach within the given time.
If there is still room to accommodate their request, the airline should cooperate and help the passengers board safely.
Each of these incidents is a testament to the ruthless,insulting,unempathetic and inconsiderate behavior of airline management,and such matters must be looked into with more seriousness and followed by severe disciplinary action.
