It Isn't Inconvenient

Upon arrival at Changi Airport, we were subjected to another security screening through the gantry and x-ray checks. It was a little unusual. But whatever. I never question security checks at airports, much less in my own country. This is about the only time I strip off shoes, belts, watches and jackets with nary a protest when asked to do so.

After this Caucasian man cleared it, he went up to two hapless security guards and shouted at them, "Why do you always subject this flight to security checks? Do you think we're idiots or terrorists?!" He was very very unhappy. He was ranting for the next few minutes. I thought he was going to deck the security guards. I've been told that this night flight from Bangkok is always subject to extra security screenings. Friends said that this flight which is scheduled to land at 9.55 pm, always lands slightly earlier at 9.35 pm or so. They secretly assume that the pilot has been told to fly faster to allow time for these additional screenings without too much of an inconvenience to most passengers.

(Indeed, at baggage claim, passengers were informed that retrieval was delayed as the checked-in luggage was also subjected to extra security screenings back-end.)

I overheard part of a rather exasperated reply from the 2 security guys- "Our bosses told us to do this, so we have to. What do you expect us to do about it?" Oh dear, I wasn't really expecting such a reply, even from the viewpoint of a bystander. For a while, I wondered if I should interfere, as a Singaporean. But what the hell, it isn't my job to do that. So I walked on. Obviously, the irate man in question took this flight rather regularly and had been held up before. He would be a regular to Singapore and should not be surprised by the vigilant security checks. I kinda hope they would arrest him or something. What an absolutely disagreeable and unpleasant man. There is no fooling around here and our airport police is totally solemn about what they do. As a traveler and a Singaporean, I heartily support such checks because while inconvenient and troublesome, they bring a peace of mind.

Imagine my slight annoyance, when this Caucasian man strode straight to the arrival hall's automated gantry clearance for Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Employment/Work Permit/Dependant Pass Holders. My single thought, "Really, you should have known better."