April 9, 2008

HIV Awareness Needed for Airport Security Guards?

Members of a Canadian HIV/AIDS support group in Prince George, British Columbia, say they faced discrimination from a security guard at Prince George Airport during a trip last month, The Globe and Mail reports (theglobeandmail.com, 4/9).

A spokesperson for the group Positive Living North says that on March 28, the group arrived at the airport to travel to Vancouver for a conference. However, the group says an airport security guard delayed their trip after expressing concerns about them flying on the WestJet plane and suggesting that the airport lounge and plane be “wiped down” after the group used them.

A spokesman for WestJet said the airline would never consider wiping down an airplane after it carried HIV-positive passengers. According to the article, Joe Gaviggin, spokesman for Garda World Security, the company that employs the airport’s security guards, said the company is investigating the discrimination claim.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is working to create a resolution between Garda and Positive Living North that will have airport security guards take part in an HIV/AIDS awareness program.

Search: Airport, Security Guards, HIV Awareness, Travel Ban, WestJet, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Positive Living North, Travel

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Previous Comments:

Jerry Clark, St Paul, 2008-04-22 10:15:58
Security guards are needed in airport restrooms to guard against US Senators using them for soliciting sex. If the public is not watched they will stampede to the scend of the crime. At the MSP airport where Senator Craig denied asking another man (a trained cop) for sex, the airport commission had to set up the area to control those who wanted a peek at where this did not happen. Senator Craig's attempt to "clear" his name only proves that men want sex with men, no matter who they are.

Maya, , 2008-04-14 12:37:23
It is disgraceful that this still happpens.Not surprising though.I am ashamed to say that I work in the medical field and I have had even doctors respond irrationally to HIV+ patients.This doesn't get addressed enough at the hospital and if you even voice your concerns, you are pooh-poohed about it.I have traveled many times and luckily no one has given my meds a second glance.They definitely need to do better on training,since these people clearly think HIV is like TB.

keith, , 2008-04-12 02:00:03
Roadwarrior,WI.The law is on your side, (see a lawyer) and tell him what you said here.

tamrat, AddisAbeba, 2008-04-11 02:23:36
they are stupid officers. i can expect this discrimination from civilized country & people.

tamrat, AddisAbeba, 2008-04-11 02:14:34
I DIDN'T BELIEVE in civilized country still there is stigma against PLWHA.IT'S Miracle.

GB, , 2008-04-11 02:12:26
It is really very unfortunate. I support the need for awareness campaign not only for the security gurads but for other members of staff in defferent airports. Just because it happened and reported about from one airport it does not mean it is the only one. Many others i am sure go unreported. Good luck in eradicating HIV stigma and discrimination.

Ida, Great Falls, Mt., 2008-04-11 00:14:53
Shame on someone here!!! Not supportive, Hiding pretending to be healthy and not doing the out going work it takes to get us what we need. I support this group. If noone knows we're here, what will happen to us??? These people need to be thanked. I am not ready to die. So I thank them!!! I was infected by my male fiance, I am a woman. Why should I hide? What did I do wrong? We need support any means possible. Are you aware of the AIDS funding cuts in California? Others work are why you live!!!

Bill, Fresno CA, 2008-04-10 20:22:39
I have flown from California to Europe 11 times in teh past year..with about 3 security/customs checks per flight each way. I have not been questioned regarding my meds (about 18 for HIV and heart disease). I carry them in plastic daily dose packages and have a list from my MD authorizing the prescriptions/descriptions.

Andrew, Sacramento, CA, 2008-04-10 20:20:58
Considering TSA's & airport security mission, they should have blood born (& air born) pathogen training which includes HIV transmission. But, even with the training, people remain ignorant. I work in Airport Ops & I'm here to tell you, many are ignorant, trained or not.

Gil_T, , 2008-04-10 20:20:12
Why did anyone at the airport know their status? They are stupid if they advertise themselves as positive and bring attention to themselves. It is no ones business. When meeting a group, it's always better to have a group name that does not bring attention. Instead of HIV group, it could be (Jim's) Group, or PLN Group. There is a Poz Hetero Group that has been taking cruises for the past 11 years. NO ONE has ever known that it's a HIV+ group. Don't look for trouble by advertising.

Donald Baxter, Iowa City, 2008-04-10 16:07:07
On the other hand, my drugs were investigated by Canadian Customs at the Pembina, North Dakota, crossing, and I was treated with respect. Now, why they stopped me I'll never understand, but I think the BC incident is a very unusual experience in Canada.

BriLee, Kansas, 2008-04-10 14:56:15
Yeah, I have had funny looks when asked what my Atripla is for. None of your GD business is what I should have said. I told them it is a medication for HIV. Getting padded down took forever after that. People are not just ignorant, too many of them are just plain stupid. All companies that deal with the public should be educating people. I work in health care and it's just as bad, if not worse there.

RoadWarrior, WI, 2008-04-10 13:07:40
As someone who travels 40-42 weeks out of the year for business, I see challenges each week at airports and hotels. I have had TSA employees go through each of my meds, ask what they are for, etc. Or better yet shout across the security lanes to another employee - Do you know what Norvir or Reyataz is for? I do not know if I can call it discrimination, but there is definitely a lack of sensitivity.