From this months Holland Herald (KLM's inflight magazine) they feature an interview from recently appointed CEO Peter Hartman. On page 12 he let's us know his views on airport security:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Hartman, Holland Herald, May07
For me personally, one of the biggest drawbacks of flying today is the totally non-transparent security procedures. They are incomprehensible, rule-based not risk-based and not harmonized. I am not denying that security measures are necessary, not at all. However, passengers really can't be expected to understand why they receive a plastic bag in Paris only to be told in Amsterdam that the bag is the wrong size! People then get angry, and rightly so. Such rules are what I call "unnecessary irritators". This sort of thing costs an enormous amount of time and causes inconvenience to passengers. I think it's not effective and rather a waste of money.
It's good to see a head of an airline speak out about the current state of airport security. It would be good to get more examples of airline management speaking out so if anyone has any then post to this thread.
excellent... hope this attitude is highly contagious and spreads to the
CEOs of the US based airlines.. who in turn wake up.. and tell Kip to
shove it.
Good statement, but I'm afraid that it will be misinterpreted as a call for standardization.
I read the article an actually I think he was calling for security procedures to be standardised. After the quoted paragraph he did mention something about the measures being consistently implemented first of all within participating EU countries and then with other countries. But I don't have the magazine to hand. I usually take a copy of it (it says you can on the front) but I've being on longer flights this month and have already read it.
Anyway, my interpretation of the full article was that he believed current rules are ineffective but whatever rules were implemented should be implemented in a consistent way within participating countries.
I think it's good what he has said, I've been meaning to write a letter to my MP and MEP to share my views on airport security but it'd be good to refer to this article when I do finally do so, as it's good someone in the industry speaking out.
If you're a KL frequent flyer then let them know that you appreciate the CEO's comments on security.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by layz
It's good to see a head of an airline speak out about the current state of airport security. It would be good to get more examples of airline management speaking out so if anyone has any then post to this thread.
He's right. The rules and regulations vary so much from place to place. It's insane when you travel internationally. For instance, in Philippines those baggies mean nothing. They wanted to prove they were going all out for security and banned ALL liquids from carry ons. No quart sized baggies, no nothing. Every so often Japan will decide it is time to be "vigilant" and start confiscating duty-free stuff. Same is true for HKG. It's all smoke and mirrors. In today's political climate no one wants to be seen as lax when it comes to airport security. Being "committed to security" also has a direct effect on the amount of funding and grants poorer countries, such as Philippines, receive from powerhouse countries like US and UK.
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Hopefully this will pave the way for CEO's of US carriers to start speaking out against the TSA. Maybe NW, then its partners, then more...it could be a chain reaction
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Comments like these are certainly helpful. Even if his underlying message is nothing more than a call for standardization, that would help. (Although, of course, then the "terrorists" would be able to predict what the system will do. )
I think it is important to focus on the kabuki security he is pointing out:
Quote:
For me personally, one of the biggest drawbacks of flying today is the totally non-transparent security procedures. They are incomprehensible, rule-based not risk-based and not harmonized.
It is more important that he points out the problem that the rules are not based on risks. For all that Kip talks about being nimble and changing to meet the terrorist threat, it is not happening with this 45,000 employee organization.
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He's right. The rules and regulations vary so much from place to place. It's insane when you travel internationally. For instance, in Philippines those baggies mean nothing. They wanted to prove they were going all out for security and banned ALL liquids from carry ons. No quart sized baggies, no nothing. ...
They also won't let me take my laptop battery on board. I had to return to check-in counter and had them retrieve one of my bags so I can place it in there. They got about 3 security stations to go through. It is distressing going through their security. In the domestic terminal bldg in Manila it is horrendous. It is basically the same bldg but divided into arrivals and departures. If you have a connection you need to exit the arrivals bldg then begin the long arduous process of security to enter the departures terminal. As crazy as it may sound I prefer to put up with security in the U.S. than in the Philippines. At least here you know and they know it is basically a farce.
KLM CEO - Security rules "unnecessary irritators"
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