Dear Sir,

I arrived home on August 7 via the JetBlue flight out of JFK, which arrived at the LF Wade International Airport a little after 11pm. It was late because of weather in New York.

I proceeded through immigration to the customs window to pay my duty. I then proceeded to collect my bags and process through the “Goods to Declare” line.

As is my custom, I had all my goods written on my customs declaration form. As I proceeded forward, there were two young women in front of me. The officer directed one to proceed out and the other in for inspection.

The other customs officer pointed out that they were travelling together — at this point he was just standing there surveilling the line — so the customs officer called the other person back from inspection, just before they called her forward, and told her she could go.

There was a sense of relief on her face. Now it was my turn, and as luck would have it, I was sent to inspection. I wasn’t worried, as I don’t remove tags and, of course, I’m armed with my receipts for my purchases.

The officer proceeds to question me as to whether I have all my purchases listed and asks to see them. He inspects my two large duffel bags without query. Upon opening my carry-on bag, I noticed a package I was bringing for someone who had left it at the home that I visited, and had been asked to bring it. I was aware of the contents, but not the price.

I thought, “Uh oh”. Of course, he picked up the bag and says: “What’s this?” I explain and he proceeded to ask me if it was listed on my customs declaration form. My response? No. Because: a, it wasn’t mine; and, b, I’d forgotten about it until he opened the bag.

Needless to say, things went downhill from this point. A penalty of $90 was levied because, as he said, “I said that everything was on my declaration and clearly this wasn’t.”

I wanted to dispute but only asked why this amount. He shrugged his shoulders and said that’s all I was told. He then told me to come with him and we returned to the collection window, where I paid the penalty fee.

I walked back to my bags and waited, thinking he (the customs officer) would return to me, but after 15 minutes he didn’t, so I asked another officer if he could find out if they were finished with me, and if I could leave. By this time, it is 11.45pm.

As I make my way outside to see if any taxis were around, I was greeted only by the crickets and whistling frogs. I used my mobile phone to call the taxi company to request a car. With the order being placed, I waited, waited and waited. About 15 minutes later, another young woman who had been in the customs area emerged and said she also needed a taxi to get home. Upon conversing with her, we decided to share a taxi because we were going in the similar area.

As the customs department was closing, and officers started to leave the premises, they were astounded to find us still standing outside. One remarked: “Does the duty officer know you’re still here?” To which I responded: “We’ve seen no one.” She said: “I’ll call him.”

The conversation went like this: “There are two women still here.” “Are they local or visitors?” “They’re locals.”

My question: are we expendable because we’re Bermudian? Do we not deserve the same courtesies?

Suffice to say, we never saw a duty officer or, for that matter, a police officer.

At 12.15am, 12.30 and 12.45, I called the taxi company back and the dispatcher replied: “Madam, I’m still trying.” She left the call open so I could hear her attempting to get a taxi. In the meantime, a security officer came by in her vehicle and said: “Oh, you’re still here? Has anyone called a cab?” I replied: “Several times, but to no avail.”

About 15 minutes later, a taxi came into the area and said he would take both of us. I asked him how he knew we were there. Had he gotten the call on his radio? He said no. The security officer had flagged him down as he was passing the gate; he had just left St David’s.

We thank God for him; our angel. We left the airport after 1am.

I take no pleasure in writing this, but to bring to the forefront a few things:

1, No one should be left at the airport alone at night after leaving the customs area; it is not only unsafe but irresponsible

2, The taxi dispatcher at the airport should check the customs area before going off duty to see if anyone is left that needs transport

3, Bermudians are not expendable. If we were visitors, would we have been treated differently?

4, I know for a fact that there are taxi drivers that only work at night. Surely, you would not want to hear dispatchers calling for a taxi, knowing you are out there parked somewhere and not assist. It could be your family member.

Welcome home? I think not.

CAROLYN PEMBERTON