Should airlines be responsible or their refugees?

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
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Ottawa, ON
When an airline allows a person in on false identity who then claims refugee status from a country that does have dubious human rights policies, should that airline be held responsible for him, including providing him with temporary room and board while providing him with any necessary language and trade or professional education that may be needed to get him into the workforce, etc.?

If the airline screwed up, why should the taxpayer be left with the tab?

Any thoughts on this?
 

ironsides

Executive Branch Member
Feb 13, 2009
8,583
60
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United States
When an airline allows a person in on false identity who then claims refugee status from a country that does have dubious human rights policies, should that airline be held responsible for him, including providing him with temporary room and board while providing him with any necessary language and trade or professional education that may be needed to get him into the workforce, etc.?

If the airline screwed up, why should the taxpayer be left with the tab?

Any thoughts on this?

There are probably so little illegals coming in by plane why not do the old wet/foot dry/foot method. If they step off the plane onto Canadian land then usher them thru customs if they stay on the plane send them home,
 

bobnoorduyn

Council Member
Nov 26, 2008
2,262
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Mountain Veiw County
There are probably so little illegals coming in by plane why not do the old wet/foot dry/foot method. If they step off the plane onto Canadian land then usher them thru customs if they stay on the plane send them home,

I think it has slowed down somewhat, but it still happens frequently. Because the now defunct Canadian Airlines flew most of the Asian routes, they bore the brunt of the criticism for allowing an exorbitant number of refugee claimants into this counrty especially in the runup to and in the aftermath of Bejing's take over of Hong Kong. It was quite simple, passengers would board showing their passports and then flush them down the lav once airborne. Airlines were threatened with heavy fines, into seven digits. The only way they could really protect themselves would be to hold onto passengers' documentation until arrival in Canada. If the government wouldn't allow airlines this protection they could hardly hold them responsible. Potential refugees know fully well that once they set foot on Canadian soil or sail into Canadian water, they have the full protection of the Constitution, as bizarre as that may seem.

If the airline screwed up, why should the taxpayer be left with the tab?

Any thoughts on this?

Airlines are not equipped to verify the authenticity of passenger documentation, even the Canadian Border Service Agency lets some slip through. Airlines run on a very narrow profit margin and holding them financially responsible for dubious refugee claimants will certainly have negative ramifications. They already solely bear the cost of airport operations, (which used to be provided with tax dollars), and increasingly strict security and saftey measures. The responsibility for these costs have not resulted in an apropriate rise in ticket prices, people still demand their $49 fares. You compare a $400 Totonto - London Fare today with the $200 Freddy Laker fare on the same route from 1973. No, what has suffered is standards, no meals, extra charges for more than one bag, carriage of bicycles, firearms, pets, etc. Training standards have also suffered greatly; the time allotted for training hasn't changed since 1965 even though the material covered is nearly four times as much. Ameircan crews are still allowed to work 16 hours straight, more than even truck drivers. Wages have also suffered greatly. For the most part, they are down 40% from 15 years ago. Air Canada is advertising for ramp attendants, the pay is around $10/hour, my daughter made more than that slinging coffee at Tim's.

Making airlines responsible would also employ a double standard; the government knew weeks in advance of a ship full of Tamils headed to our shores and gave them safe passage. I might be of a different mind had they done what they should have, given them food, water, medical attention, and fuel, then sent them on their merry way long before they entered our waters.
 

wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
2,014
24
38
Calgary, AB
Airlines are not equipped to verify the authenticity of passenger documentation, even the Canadian Border Service Agency lets some slip through. Airlines run on a very narrow profit margin and holding them financially responsible for dubious refugee claimants will certainly have negative ramifications. They already solely bear the cost of airport operations, (which used to be provided with tax dollars), and increasingly strict security and saftey measures. The responsibility for these costs have not resulted in an apropriate rise in ticket prices, people still demand their $49 fares. You compare a $400 Totonto - London Fare today with the $200 Freddy Laker fare on the same route from 1973. No, what has suffered is standards, no meals, extra charges for more than one bag, carriage of bicycles, firearms, pets, etc. Training standards have also suffered greatly; the time allotted for training hasn't changed since 1965 even though the material covered is nearly four times as much. Ameircan crews are still allowed to work 16 hours straight, more than even truck drivers. Wages have also suffered greatly. For the most part, they are down 40% from 15 years ago. Air Canada is advertising for ramp attendants, the pay is around $10/hour, my daughter made more than that slinging coffee at Tim's.

Making airlines responsible would also employ a double standard; the government knew weeks in advance of a ship full of Tamils headed to our shores and gave them safe passage. I might be of a different mind had they done what they should have, given them food, water, medical attention, and fuel, then sent them on their merry way long before they entered our waters.


Exactly the way I feel about it too. Why should airlines be responsible for doing the job of governments?
 

ironsides

Executive Branch Member
Feb 13, 2009
8,583
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United States
Airport Security and Federal goverment, Homeland Security etc. should be responsible. We pay enough taxes into those departments.
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
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What's the unemployment rate for refugees? If most of them pay taxes once they're through, then I see no reason we should get our panties in a wad over the odd refugee's costs. To my understanding refugees make for 'better' citizens (ie., they stay and don't send their retirement money home) than typical immigration, so great.