Cell phone mystery

Cell phone mystery

While there has been some correspondence of late regarding the
service of Garuda, both from the aspect of service and security
of baggage in your paper, one area that desperately needs
investigation is that of security from theft within the airport
building. The following incident, which resulted in the theft of
my mobile phone, will perhaps illustrate my point.

On entering the departure area, one is subjected to baggage X-
ray and you have to pass through the metal detector where you are
asked to put your mobile phone on an adjacent table while you
pass through the portal. This I duly did and after being
distracted momentarily and on turning to retrieve the phone it
was gone. Although approximately six people manned the area,
nobody claimed to have seen anything. Apparently it grew wings
and flew away by itself.

On relating this incident to a number of associates, it would
appear that this is not an isolated incident and I can now
unfortunately add my name to a growing list of victims.

Experience is the best teacher and I would suggest to fellow
travelers that it is safer to put your phone into your carry-on
baggage and let it go through the X-ray machine -- it will save
you some considerable risk.

PETER J. STANDISH

Jakarta