Dear Editor,
In our beautiful world today no one knows about the words “our apologies for indecent behaviors”. It’s obvious that jealousy and envy, lies and deceit take the place of integrity. They destroy everything that cares.
On Thursday September 12, 2019, while in transit on Curaçao airport to St. Maarten, something strange happened at the security checkpoint. This happened to me in the security line, this is my story. Be aware.
To the ladies traveling with open handbags to and from Bonaire, Aruba and Holland via Curaçao airport, be warned to stay by your handbags while going through security checkpoints, because an eyewear case ended up in my handbag without me putting it there.
Save yourselves the humiliation of being falsely accused because others like to play games with innocent travelers. Please do not be fooled by their treatment, when you are in your rights stand your ground even when disrespected. Inform others not to make the same mistakes because they are a perfect team when they are wrong or have wronged others (travelers).
“Common sense do not work here, so do not try”. Keep in mind you’re not the first and not the last this happened to. They are violating our rights and it’s allowed.
The airport is full of cameras but yet it did not pick up on that, as I entered the hall before visiting the ladies room I gave my handbag to my husband and from there to security checkpoint there was only walls and stairs until we entered the security checkpoint. Yes, ladies, the security checkpoint. From our entering to the checkpoint area until going through the scanner it happened.
The cameras did not pick up the security lady taking out my shoes from the bin and changing my handbag position. Yes, I saw it but it did not matter and it was not good enough for them all they wanted to do is pin the eyewear case on me no matter the cost. Some do not understand the words it doesn’t belong to me. So, I was the target and that’s it.
They try to treat me like a criminal while they talk about me and make it seem like I am stupid because they are security officers and I am an innocent traveler. But that did not stop them, it was not even important to ask a question, no answer was given on why my handbag was checked 3 times. Wow.
If it’s been about the all-of-sudden-appeared eyewear case, I would understand because it was placed in the bin with my wallet and my reading glasses case. But first they checked and took the case out. Which my bag had a belt around it. You loosen the belt. Second, you placed all the things in the bin including the suddenly-appeared eyeglasses case. Third, you scanned a handbag with papers, a sunglasses and medication bag again. After that I told him the eyewear case does not belong to me. He insisted. I did not accept so that did not go well.
It’s obvious that they did not pay attention to anything I was checked before and did not take into consideration before they played this game, they did not realize that my husband had his sunglasses on him. Also they were not aware that the gentleman next to me is my husband. The reason I said “husband”, because when they opened the case it was a man’s glasses. I was judged before the facts. Now they think I am stupid and they can do what they like, which they did in my case. Congratulations.
It did not end there. After that they tried to make me take the eyewear case that did not belong to me. I wear ladies’ sunglasses, not men’s, for the record.
They were very persistent. Do not take anything that does not belong to you. Please pay attention, because they take my bag and I can no longer see what they are adding and what they are taking out because I was already on the other side of the scanner. Take this warning seriously, ladies. Lies and deceit are taking over our world and everybody lives in it. If you’re in, everything goes. Be careful. Cameras are not for our safety anymore. So always stay aware of your surroundings.
In today’s world many feel because they wear a uniform they are superior to others, so it’s allowed to mistreat travellers. For the security guards it’s just a job. This gives your loving island a beautiful name. Thank you all.
Lies don’t last forever, September 12, 2019, was my day to open my eyes to you. On many occasions traveling transit I decided to ignore the treatment, because I said we are all imperfect humans. I have been often experiencing this challenge with my transit flights with KLM on this airport. At first I said, “They only doing their jobs.”
The luck that we have traveling transit Curaçao is that we have to be properly checked at Schiphol Airport, which seems not to be a problem traveling from St. Maarten. Now I know why and understand better our traveling procedures when people cannot be helped due to attitude towards others. Thank you for making the stories real to me as a traveler.
We as travelers have rights and the security are not supposed to tamper with our luggage. Not even take our handbags out of sight without explanation. Maybe if we were taught how to do our jobs properly there would be more respect. We are not allowed to use false accusations on others, neither should others use them on us. When Customs officers search our luggage they will place a sticker making us aware you’ve been inspected.
Remember not everyone that wears a uniform are our friends, be careful ladies. Some of us have no self-respect or respect for others much less their jobs. We cannot change their ways towards us as travelers but we can alert our friends and family and chat groups of our travel experiences, so they can prevent these situations.
So I leave you with this: From my followers they said to take pictures from in the plane of the inside of your bags, trolley any carry-on and also list your items so you can check them off after checkpoint. If this happens to you send the photos to family and friends so when you’re accused you will have a backup that they cannot delete because they wear a uniform.
They ask that the ladies please share your experiences so others can learn, don’t keep silent. Don’t let criticism or opinions of ours stop you from sharing. There are big girls and there are small. Mistreated and discrimination and false accusation can destroy your image as a God-serving citizen.
These intentions are real.
The Bible warned us against these days that are here. This island is blessed. I want you all to pray while traveling in and out of it. I pray that Jesus Christ our Lord put an end to the persons involved in this act towards the innocent that they might be saved. Amen.
Thanks to you all for your support. No one listens to you, so please think about yourself during this process. I will keep updating my group on my travel experiences.
Please search youtube.com for all your information on these activities.
Bit.ly, tsa.gov, and ABC news Sept. 24.214 and more. Keep updated on your surroundings while traveling.
* Take pictures of your stuff placed in your bags.
* Make a list if you forget easily.
* Compartmentalize your stuff if necessary.
* Place your stuff in zip-locks or transparent bags so you can see.
* New: lock your handbags and they have to ask you to open it.
God said treat others the way you want to be treated. May God bless you all until we see again. This is my story.
Ilsa Baker
Transit passenger
