at Bermuda's airport.

They said searches by Customs officers showed a complete lack of trust. A woman employee with a major airline allegedly endured the humiliation of being bag-searched in front of passengers.

"I don't know why all of a sudden this is happening,'' said one protester.

But Acting Controller of Customs Mrs. Norma Smith denied there had been a policy change. And she said no-one -- not even airline employees -- should be exempt from searches.

"Everybody is treated equally. We don't pinpoint airline employees for searches.'' Mrs. Smith's stance was supported by Mr. Herbie Siggins, customer services manager for USAir. "Everybody should be subjected to searches when coming to Bermuda. I am quite willing to be searched myself,'' he said.

Several local airline employees, however, contacted The Royal Gazette this week to express anger.

The group are customer service agents for major carriers. None wanted to be named.

They said Customs officers were targeting employees as they arrived in Bermuda with disturbing regularity.

One man said: "It is happening quite regularly. Only this morning one woman was stopped and was searched.

"She wasn't taken into a room. It happened in front of passengers.'' One protester said she had seen male employees asked to lift up their shirts and pull the pocket linings out.

"I understand customs officers have a job to do, but I don't think we should be made to feel we are under suspicion. I know quite a lot of my colleagues feel the same way.'' The group admitted their work took them into restricted areas at the Civil Air Terminal -- including the freight shed and US Customs area.

Their jobs are described as multi-functional -- such as escorting passengers to the arrivals area, helping them board flights, handling bag gage, and dealing with passenger check-ins.

"Just because we have access to restricted areas, I don't see why we should be subjected to random drug searches,'' said one man.

"It appears to have got a lot worse. It shows a complete lack of trust, and that is what really annoys us.'' Mrs. Smith said she was not aware of the complaints.

And she urged any protester to contact the Controller of Customs, Mr. Gerry Ardis, "verbally or in writing''.

"It is very hard to comment on a situation when you've received no official complaints,'' she said.

Mrs. Smith was adamant, however, Customs officers had not altered their drug search policies.