The Editor, Sir:

I write in response to the April 26 article, 'Warning ignored! Despite airport-security audit prior to attempted hijacking, Jamaican authorities failed to plug loopholes'.

Based on the argument of Senior Superintendent Carlton Wilson, head of the Narcotics Division, that a number of people who worked in the precinct of the airports were involved in corruption, I think it's important that the police look into the criminal records of airport employees.

Screening process

Security guards and all airline employees must go through the same screening and searches as the passengers who board the planes. Airport employees should pass through security every time, coming and going. The police must also ratchet up unannounced employee searches of bags and property, the idea being to provide unpredictability. I do feel that all the people who escort and check in passengers at the airports should be checked. Employee passes should be based on restrictive access. If they were, employees would have to stay within the boundaries the company deems productive. Otherwise, alarms would go off.

The security staff cannot be allowed to be thinly spread out over several areas. The first line of defence against any intrusion to a facility is the perimeter. It's imperative that more police are placed at critical points around the airports.

Whenever I visit Jamaica, I am always impressed at the actions, demeanour and professionalism of the staff at the Sangster International Airport. I really believe that the vast majority are very good employees and will not mind being subject to a criminal background check to enhance security. I think we are going to find bad apples in any corporation anywhere in the world.

Tourists to Jamaica are not fooled by public relations campaigns; they will come only when security and stability are the norm.

I am, etc.,

NEVILLE CARNEGIE

USA