The Editor, Sir:

Kindly allow me space in your paper to ask the powers that be a few questions about our preparedness for the upcoming Cricket World Cup tournament to be held in our lovely island Jamaica Land We Love, March to April 2007. As I sit here intransit at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and watch the world transit from one point to another, the following are a few questions which I ponder:

Are the people working in our airports/seaports ready to offer service in a professional and genuine way?

Are the people in the transportation industry ready to offer service in a professional and genuine way and not just ready to grab a dollar?

Are the people in our hotel industry ready to offer service in a professional and honest way, and are they willing to go the extra mile to ensure the guests are comfortable and happy?

As I landed at the Norman Manley International Airport, the reality that the country is not ready for this grand event came home to haunt me. Present in the immigration area were approximately 250 persons to be processed. They were visitors to the island, Jamaican residents and some of both who were in wheelchairs. To my amazement, I stood in the line for almost two and a half hours before I was processed. The area was hot, as the air-conditioning units seem not to be working properly.

I was further embarrassed went I entered the customs hall to find our luggage thrown all over the floor; passengers were jumping and skipping over baggage to find their own.

These are just a few of the problems which we all experience at the airport when we use that facility. I think we have some time in which to make changes so that we can improve our offer to the world.

I am, etc.,

JUNIOR GEORGE JAMES

James_bondjm@yahoo.com