Heathrow ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Causes Grief for Staff

Airport staff at Heathrow Airport (LHR) has complained about the zero-tolerance policy toward all passengers who possess undeclared tobacco and alcohol that exceeds the duty-free limit. Staff claims that the amount of paperwork required for such small seizures, even for those barely over the duty-free limit, is time-consuming and unnecessary. Staff further “questioned the cost-effectiveness” of such a hardline stance and claimed that such a policy is likely to “alienate” passengers and  “to more confrontations.”

Senior Heathrow managers “did not accept this” and argued that due to the nature of customs work, airport staff are often not required in standard customs channels.

To read more on this story, go to BBC.

[Photo: Diane Phillips]