“Hello all,
My name is ABC. I work as a security person in the departure screening at airport XYZ.
I spend my days trying to get passengers to comply with the security procedures that my bosses ask me to enforce.
It is a hard job. I never aspired to this caper as a child, but I needed work (have three kids and my wife is ill), so I was truly grateful to get the job, even though I quickly understood it was only available as not many people can endure it.
It is tedious and repetitive. An endless line of passengers approaching. Many know their stuff – they are the great ones. But they are in the minority. Despite us putting out signs to try to ease the process, every couple of minutes someone gets to the scanner still with their pockets bulging with all sorts of no-no items. I try to be patient, but I suffer the dual pressure of my bosses, who want throughput, and with the passengers in the queue, who also seem to expect a miraculous three-second experience. But if I do not enforce the latest guidelines my employers put on me, I lose my job.
Probably the worst part of every day (and it happens EVERY SINGLE SHIFT) is when a passenger complains about the process. My every day is filled with people saying “In my country we do it this way”. “Why do I have to take my laptop out – I didn’t on the last flight in FFF country” “Do I have to take my shoes off? Really??” As if it is such a horrendous thing to endure.
So I spend my day between passengers who are completely lost in the process, and with those who all “know” better than me how it should be done.
And the most hilarious part? The passengers who “know better”, get snarly and short and sarcastic with me. But then afterwards complain that I used my authority. That I did not smile as they gleefully gave me a serve of their wisdom.
I just do my job. I know it is not perfect. I started out loving the concept that despite the menial duties, I was doing my part to keeping everyone safe. But I get kicked every day.
Sorry for not smiling.
Mr. ABC”
