No help for my Crown Point problem

THE EDITOR: On Monday afternoon I took an horrendous trip to Tobago aboard one of BWIA’s wet leased aircraft from JAT. This was the big one, with us boarding through the tail end past the engines emitting dirty fumes. I had to cover my face. The rear of this old plane is totally blackened by the trail it leaves in the air. One can spot its approach clearly off Sandy Point by the wide ebony trail — TT’s version of the famous Red Arrows maybe? Having attended several seminars on different aspects of our country’s environment and sustainability, I wonder why our Government has accepted such low standards under the section, Air Pollution...(don’t even bother asking the EMA)  or maybe like so many other outstanding matters, we are awaiting the legislation to be written before submission to Parliament? Ring Ring. Is any one there?

In addition to the fumes, this aircraft was also lacking the ‘hush kit’ to lower the noise. It would not be permitted to operate in a developed country.  Noise testing required. The well worn seats may be comfortable but the PA system on board this decrepit bird tells its age. Not a word can be heard over the din of the engines. They would not pass a modern decibel test. I developed an awful headache sitting in Row 21. The engines laboured over the Northern Range then sputtered as we levelled off over Matelot. Not since the demise of Air Caribbean have I prayed in a plane with such passion.  Ring Ring. Is any one there? 

No, my story’s not done yet. Just when I thought my nerves would settle we landed at Crown Point. Both international flights of BA and Virgin were on the ground preparing for take off.  So we were given the position at the far end of the terminal. I had a cramp in one leg which caused me to trip on arising from my seat and drop my binoculars. In bending to retrieve the case I did not notice my mobile phone had fallen out of my camera pouch until I had crossed the tarmac about to enter the terminal. I informed the security guard at the post about my plight and she advised me that I could not reboard the plane but she would relay the message to another guard.

After trying to find help in a terminal overcrowded by a passenger load that neither the airline or security personnel could handle, I beseeched the guard to do something before passengers boarded the flight to Piarco. There was no one at BWIA who wanted to help, security was too busy watching the action, and eventually I was told they could not find my phone just before the flight left. Neither the security guards nor counter staff at Crown Point would give me their names as reference for reporting the left unit. The security officers deemed it the airline’s responsibility; the counter clerk said that I had dropped my phone on the plane, so it was not theirs either.

An after- thought. Such levels of intelligence should not be let loose on the unsuspecting public, unless it is part of a Choo Kong Production. The mobile unit was found by someone, who possibly returned to Trinidad and turned it on one and a half hours later. They then turned it off after I repeatedly dialled the number, to stop the incessant ringing.  TSTT appeared to have most of their system overloaded on Monday night. It was forty-five minutes of holding on line before I pleaded with the operator who connected me directly with a sympathetic supervisor.

The unit was killed as promised within ten minutes. Maybe the finder has a small dot of honesty and will turn it in to BWIA or TSTT. The number was 789-7852. What questions remain to be answered. It could have been my passport, credit cards, medication that fell out. What would have been the reaction had it been a passenger who was boarding one of the international flights and dropped a vital item? All this could have been avoided if we had the correct systems and training and standards and yes, legislation in place. TT, we have plenty to do to even stay in the Third World. So Ring Ring. Is any one there? 

JACQUELINE ANNETTE TELFER
Maraval