This is the sixth story of the '#We are Eindhoven Airport' campaign. Every month we publish a new story on this page featuring an airport staff member, followed a week later by a podcast created by Summa Aviation Services.

Viewing and evaluating camera footage, searching travellers, reviewing X-ray images and noting if there are any abnormalities in the luggage. But above all helping travellers. That, in a nutshell, is the job of Michael van der Kammen, airport security officer at G4S in Eindhoven Airport. He's been working at the airport for three years and, at 22, is one of the younger employees.  

After finishing high school, Michael really didn't know yet what he wanted to do; working with people was his number one priority. He applied for a job at the airport and has never looked back. “It's a dynamic workplace and I get to work with people every day. So much happens and no two days are the same. I love that.” He alternates his working day between working at the security checkpoint and in the control room. One part of the day he's conducting passenger searches and assessing X-ray images to see if there are any items in the carry-on luggage that shouldn't be there. He then moves on to the control room to check the countless images throughout the airport for any abnormal behaviour. Which items does he find most often in the bags of passengers? “Knives and scissors. People aren't always aware that they aren't allowed to bring them. We take those out of the baggage.” All prohibited items can be handed in voluntarily, put back in the car or given to the people who dropped them off. Products such as BB guns - a toy gun that looks just like a real one - and butterfly knives are confiscated. “If we find such items, we'll call in the military police who then take over.” Although Michael enjoys working at the security checkpoint, he prefers the work in the control room. “I get to assess the camera images that are recorded at the airport. We look at anything that deviates from the ordinary with extra scrutiny and intervene if needed.”  

Michael says that the best thing about his work is the variety. From unattended suitcases that require a physical check to helping out a confused passenger, dealing with an aggressive traveller and comforting a lost child, and liaising with the military police and fellow security officers when first aid is immediately required on the apron. “It's important that you are resolute and remain calm and alert. And most importantly....in this job you need to love people.”     

Listen here to the podcast ‘Ready for Take-Off’ of Summa Aviation Services on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.     #weareeindhovenairport