#BTColumn – A tale of two airports

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Vincent “Boo” Nurse

During the last four weeks I travelled to two International Airports, Heathrow, London and Grantley Adams (GAIA), Barbados. My experiences at these two hubs for international travel were as different and contrasting as chalk and cheese.

On my arrival at GAIA I was filled with apprehension. Although I had followed the protocols I was nervous that I could be put in quarantine at some far outpost.

Rumours had circulated in social media. Would it be one, two or more nights? Possibilities seemed wide and varied although the Government was quite explicit in issuing its directives. As I entered the arrivals hall I was pleasantly surprised and put at ease by the warmth of the greeting by officials. ‘ Welcome home’ they chorused.

And as they diligently and meticulously examined the paper work that my granddaughter had prepared for me in London- I cannot yet master the keys on a Smart phone as I am reluctant to use a phone that is smarter than I am- I observed that our immigration staff did not compromise their courtesies in pursuit of efficiency and everything went smoothly. What a wonderful demonstration of Public Relations!

Within 12 hours of my arrival I was advised that I was free to roam the deserted environs of St Lawrence Gap. Alas, everyone seemed to be asleep and I soon returned to my room in silent admiration for the excellent manner in which GAIA staff had performed their duties.

In the old Bajan expression, ‘every man jack’ appeared to have been well trained to deal speedily and competently with their customers. Four weeks later, on returning to London Heathrow I thought:’ What a contrast to my experience in Barbados! After a flight of over seven hours across the Atlantic I spent a further 4 hours to cross 12 miles of London.

Those four hours consisted mostly of standing in a line in the arrivals hall that zigged and zagged as approximately 150 passengers waited to be cleared for entry into the UK. It was astonishing that only one official was deputed to man the kiosks for nearly an hour only to be joined occasionally by another one or two..

As officials meandered around the hall like ants moving up a molehill it was difficult to believe or even think that I had arrived in a first world country.

Pray, tell me. How in the name of sanity could authorities and management, in the knowledge that almost 200 passengers would be arriving at the same time post a mere two or so officers to officiate over the admissions especially as regulations are far more complex than previously was the case.

My thoughts were now active. Could this be an act of simple cussedness, was there a concern that arriving passengers could spend on average three hours waiting to be cleared after a flight of seven hours? I shuddered to think negatively but soon realised that my powers of endurance would be tested.

My anxiety grew when a young lady roamed amongst us offering cans of water….perhaps it should have been Red Bull. This seemed risky as there was not a bathroom in sight or easy reach. I nervously thought: ‘ Heaven forfend’

Now feeling distraught..I had now been standing for over two hours.. I complained that I was feeling unwell and was allowed to jump ahead in the line leaving another 50 or so passengers behind. I had now been set free from the shackles of an apparently uncaring policy of undermanning by border security authorities and as I entered the baggage reclaim hall I feared that my dolphin , marlin, swordfish and flying fish would be thawed and pulped. However this was not the case and my joy was unconfined as I moved serenely through an unmanned Customs Post with five bottles of Bajan liquor ‘scotch free’. I must declare that it was my noble intention to meet the charges of duty on my rum.

My wheel of good fortune had at this point turned full circle and then I met Eric a born-again Christain, who, on learning that I am Barbadian was happy to carry my heavily laden baggage so that he could recount the excellent and wonderful experiences he had had on his visits to Barbados.

Eric said that his most treasured moments were the times he spent in conversation at Miami Beach with the late Sir Everton Weekes and. Sir Wes Hall. As Eric spoke glowingly about the island and its people I was as proud as soursop punch to be a Barbadian both at GAIA and Heathrow despite the pained experience at the hands of border security in London.

I say, kudos to the staff at GAIA

GAIA versus LHR…..no contest

Vincent “Boo” Nurse is a Barbadian living in London who is a retired land Revenue Manager, Pensions and Investment Adviser. He is passionate about the development of his island home and disapora.