Originally Posted by
cooperplace
my point is that everyone who goes airside has to get an ASIC, but that the screening process for a lot of these people leaves a lot to be desired, as shown by the stats quoted by others here that eg. lots of baggage handlers have convictions for drug trafficking. To me it beggars belief that anyone can have a conviction for drug trafficking offences and still get an ASIC to work as a baggage handler. I don't think expressing that view is being pretentious or petulant. I think most members of the public, who endure security screening and see flight crew doing the same, would assume that all airside workers have to go thru the same screening and would be amazed that this isn't so.
I don't disagree. I would just say that I would like to know the details of the 'drug offences' as I don't trust the media not to be just using that blanket term to get an attention grabbing headline. We could be talking about someone who 20 years ago got caught smoking a joint for goodness sake.
However, I've always been of the opinion and always will be that there should be a threshold level of record over which you NEVER get employed in the industry or get an ASIC.
People can bleat all they like about civil rights (of which I am a strong proponent) but this industry is just too sensitive and open to causing mass casualty that if you do something criminal in your life, you cancel your 'ticket' so to speak as regards getting a job in the industry or anything connected directly to it.
I don't know if it still happens but the system used to take SO long to get an ASIC that people were working sensitive areas for months before they were found to be ineligible. Using Visitor Passes and Temp IDs is a joke because you're expecting a person who is 'escorting' them to take on a massive responsibility.