an idiot at Dublin airport

[pkw4]

Dear friends
I'm writing to tell you what happened to me at Dublin airport the morning of 24/12/05.
Iwas on my way to Milan to see my family for xmas.I was carry a metal case
containing a figure i'd promised my brother for xmas.
My brother is a former modeller now disabled following a car accident.
Once at the airport we went through the check in and at the security check my case was scanned and as always happens i was asked to open it .So i did.
I then pointed out that the figure was fragile and that if they had to check it i would have removed the figure from the case myself.At this point the idiot grabbed the case from my hands muttering "smart alec"and put the case through
the scanning machine for the second time but this time WITH THE CASE OPEN.
He then returned the case with the figure in bits.
He did not even apologise.
When i asked for his name he covered his name badge and walked away.
My wife then called the airport police and my complaint was recorded.
Have any of you had any similar experiences or any knowledge of the procedure to follow in cases like this?
Any help is welcome
Sincerely
Roberto :angry: :angry: :angry:

ps: It is at times like this that I wish I was a member of the Gambino family.
The orginal figure:

 

[pkw4]

the metal case

 

[pkw4]

the case after security check carried out by idiot

 

[pkw4]

and...

 

[Sambaman]

Roberto,
WOW! I would be MAD!!! I just got through building a case to carry my figures in this weekend with my father-in-law's help. We made it to fit the carry-on specs of most airlines and I have often wondered what the reaction to me trying to cary it on a plane would be. I hope I never have to watch my work be treated in such a manner. Sorry for what happened and I would say I am espessially sorry for your brother for whom this was for! I hope your visit with family helped you get over this bothersome act!

Jay H.
OKC

PS - if it's any consolation, you did a bang-up job on the figure!

 

[Bluesking]

Write to Dublin Airport enclosing photos, tell them you are taking legal action against them to recover the value of the figure (£300?) and see what response you get.
A solicitors letter is easily concotted.

 

[AJLaFleche]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I flew from Hartford to Phoenix last year for the IPMS Nationals with a half dozen or so figures in a workman's tool box. I was a bit nervous, not having flown since the weekend before the attacks. Both security people were very accomodationg, I had my box ready to be opened and explained what it was. They were careful and the guy in Phoenix was saying he'd hoped to make the show but couldn't get away.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Sorry for your loss.

Only hint I can think of is when they start to argue is to point out that your luggage already is on the plane and if you refuse to board it they have to unload all luggage and every passenger has to point their own luggage out.

This costs them time and time is very expensive in the business.

Hope youll get an excuse and compensation.

Cheers

 

[Einion]

Well that sucks Roberto, my condolences. What a stupid ass****! When I was leaving Dublin I had to deal with a similar moron - this one didn't even get the hint after the first model (another Poste Mil actually - the Mamluk) bent and broke as he was wrapping it :angry:

Einion

 

[Parkadge]

Dublin airport police are not the most sensitive people in the world. I would write as Bluesking has suggested with the photographs and a description of the officer and the date and time it happened. Threaten legal action to recover the cost of the model.

 

[Jimmy S]

....and ask for more than 300, for your construction time. emotional damage etc. Keep us posted.

 

[garyjd]

Well I hope you're compensated somehow for the damage. What's frustrating is the lack of concern these "idiots" have, even when doing damage to a person's property. Security is a serious concern, too bad respect is thrown out the window.~Gary

 

[Pete_H]

What's even worse is that this dipsh!t had the audacity to cover his badge and walk away. If he's informed that you intend to file a complaint, he is required to disclose his identity and badge number. As our British cousins would say, "what a wanker!"

 

[Evan August]

Damn man, that sucks. Like has been suggested, I would contact those in charge and threaten some legal action. Don't know if it would get anywhere, but you can be a pain in the ass about it. This officer or security person in question should definitely face some dicisplinary action (at the least an asschewing). That attitude and conduct is extremely inappropriate and unprofessional for anyone wearing a badge.

 

[Roy]

Roberto...that is just plain ignorant...a shame you had to endure this treatment.

Pete....that is indeed a 'truly British' term useful in many similar circumstances..

Roy.

 

[dArtagnan]

Such arrogance demands to be punished!!
I would have had my lost (nothing could of change that),
but I would surely try too get him back!!
I would not let it go by the easy way!
You got my sympathy, Roberto.

Eddy.

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Incidents like this remind me that we are all vulnerable to the acts of ignorant people with authority. Often, there is very little we can do about it except to avoid them when we can. FWIW I'm glad you filed a complaint, but I doubt it will bring you any satisfaction.

 

[EasyOff]

For 500.00 I'll go to my x wife's house and have her put the same curse on the guy that messed you up that she put on me. His life will be a living hell. The 500? Well, that will cover my deductable for my insurance for the damages to my Mercedes she'll do before I can get it out of her driveway.

Jb

 

[pkw4]

Dear friends
Thank you for yours kind replies.
The fight has just began.I'll keep you posted.
thank you
Roberto.

 

[PJ Deluhery]

John -

A good lawyer would have made that curse assignable (transferable) without recourse and without the prior permission of the Ex.

Ne illegitime carborendum!