SAS Protests Pilot Bullying by Security

In a letter dated 17 March, Bjørn Kjos Ola Strand Per Arne Watle, the Administrative Director of SAS Airlines, wrote to the CEO of Avinor (Sverre Quale) complaining about provocative, distracting and humiliating treatment being meted out to SAS flight staff transiting through Avinor's airline security picket lines. Avinor AS owns and operates 46 airports in Norway. Their main office is in Oslo Airport (Gardermoen). From their website they state that: "The company is responsible for maintaining the right level of security in all airports. It is Avinor's responsibility to operate a safe, secure and efficient network of airports. Avinor delivers air navigation services throughout the country, both for civil aviation and the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Avinor's air safety work is primarily evident in its air traffic services, which are carried out from control centres and towers, in collaboration with ground services in airports. Avinor's fire and rescue employees, ground services, snow-clearing and airport management have particularly important duties relating to safety and security together with air traffic controllers and other employees involved in the air navigation service."

The SAS complaint follows a 17 March newspaper report that a Wideroe (Part of SAS - fly 29 x Dash 8's) pilot quit his job because he was sick of being treated as a terrorist every time he went through security screening. Another Wideroe pilot cancelled his flight because he was too upset to fly after arguing with a security guard about access to a flight-crew Operations room.

The problem seems to extend far beyond Norway's borders, however this would appear to be "a first" instance of airline management realizing it and acting upon it. Crews are being recommended to go through "en bloc" so that any special treatment can be witnessed by others.