Nollywood veteran, Patrick Doyle, has recalled his experiences at airports as a celebrity.
He reflected on the fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde’s saga at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, which has led to his imminent blacklisting from intra-Nigeria flights for six months.
In a post he shared on social media, Doyle believes the ValueJets Airline officials must have baited Waisu.
On Tuesday, the Talazo great was barred from flying after alcohol was found to be in a flask he was carrying. Attempts to stop him from flying with the alcoholic substance, which is prohibited, was rebuffed as he insisted it wasn’t alcohol and that he must fly with it.
Doyle writes:
“For the most part, celebrities and famous people get preferential treatment in most public spaces. I made a trip to Accra a few days ago, and from the immigration officers at passport control to the supermarket, check out cashier I was given VIP courtesy. However, there have been a few times when I am confronted by a service personnel with a chip on his or her shoulder, who perhaps has been nursing a grudge against me and finally I am within reach for cumuppance. Most times, I may never have ever set eyes on the person,but he or she, for whatever reason, has it in for me. maybe for how I acted in a movie or the answer I gave in an interview.
Next thing I know, this service personnel from Hell decides to give me a tough time. Like the lady at the airline check-in counter at the Asaba airport, who bluntly refused to let me carry my hand luggage onboard because it weighed half a kilogram over the accepted limit. I tried to jokingly cajole her, and rather than give in, she rudely barked at me to respect myself.
I knew she recognised me because her colleague had come to take a selfie with me while I was in the queue. I took her rebuke seriously and comported myself before she escalated the issue and cause a scene.
Of course, I knew she was baiting me and hoping to upset me enough for me to activate the “insulted big man” mode. Then there would be a shouting match, and I would be in breach of airport protocol, and she would have bragging rights that she humiliated that “useless” Patrick Doyle.
Kwam 1 was baited by the airline staff, and sadly, they succeeded in riling him. I can’t say I blame him because I have been known to go ballistic during such episodes myself. These days, I just pray that God should keep such irritants far away from me and whenever I encounter such “blessed” people, I pray for self control and the grace not to fall into their diabolical traps.”
