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Friday, May 25, 2007 12:00 AM

Ask the Pilot

A filthy lobby, sullen-faced employees, no place to sit, and a vague sense of danger all add up to the World's Worst Airport.

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  • Friday, May 25, 2007 07:23 AM

    LOS - Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria - circa 1995

    Granted, I haven't flown through Lagos since about 1995, and I hear it's improved substantially since then, but the atmosphere of the time still lingers vividly in my mind.

    Stepping from the plane to the jetway was like walking into a wall - from cool, dry, airplane to hot, muggy, west African night. The terminal building was dim and filthy, the baggage claim area was crowded with "drivers" (ostensibly there to meet their clients), and the customs officials habitually confiscated items from the bags they searched. The bathrooms were large enough, but filthy, overflowing, and occupied by women duct-taping contraband of some sort to their skin (don't look).

    My favorite bit, though, was that British Airways had installed their own metal detector at their departure lounge - possibly the only one in the building. Luggage screening consisted of ticketed passengers walking down to the ramp to point out their bags, which were then loaded on the flight. Any bags not claimed were left behind.

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