Published November
2001
New
security measures call for patience, planning
By
John Wolcott
Herald Business Journal Editor
In the wake of the
terrorists’ sky-jacked airliner attacks on New York City and the Pentagon
on Sept. 11, no travelers seriously begrudge the inconvenient delays created
by heightened security at the nation’s airports.
But learning to live
with it takes some readjusting.
Business travelers
should continue to expect long lines at airline ticket counters and security
checkpoints at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but there are ways
to make trips go more smoothly, according to airport officials.
First of all, stay
informed on the latest changes that might affect your travel plans. Internet
sites for Sea-Tac and individual airlines, for instance, are filled with
up-to-date news about the latest security restrictions and policies.
“One of the key things
to remember is to keep metal off your body,” said Sea-Tac spokesman Bob
Parker. “If the alarm goes off when you go through our metal detectors,
you won’t have the option of going through again. You’ll be checked over
with a (metal detection) wand and patted down by security staff, and that
will just cause delays.”
Tips from Parker
and the Sea-Tac Web site for dealing with the new security procedures
include:
- Arrive at the
airport two hours before your flight’s departure time.
- Be aware that
although there is plenty of parking available, you may need to drive
to higher levels and walk farther. A total of 2,600 parking spaces within
a 300-foot buffer zone have been closed near the terminal-side of the
garage levels as a security precaution.
- Expect to see
the reassuring presence of law enforcement personnel throughout the
airport, as well as National Guard troops.
- Only ticketed
passengers, and flight crews, are allowed past checkpoints into the
concourses and the North and South satellite terminals.
- Keep government-issued
photo identification with you, such as a driver’s license, in case it’s
requested.
- Don’t delay security
lines by waiting to use the plastic trays for your metal objects. Put
watches, metal pens, keys, large rings, necklaces, coins, large belt
buckles, earrings and similar items in your carry-on luggage and send
everything through the baggage scanning machines. It’s safe to retrieve
those items from your bags once you are cleared through the checkpoint.
- Banned items
in carry-on luggage include firearms, all knives, box cutters and any
other sharp objects that could become weapons, including scissors, knitting
needles, razors or corkscrews. Checked and carry-on luggage are subject
to random searches. Confiscated items will not be returned.
- To make searches
of carry-on baggage, purses or briefcases easier and faster, put small
items together in a pouch. Also, don’t stuff bags to capacity.
- Electronic gear
— including laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, pagers, digital cameras
and the like — should be sent through the luggage scanner. The equipment
does not damage electronic files and chips. Having the equipment hand-checked
means turning on each piece for inspection, which means more delay.
All laptop computers must be removed from their carrying cases.
- The FAA is limiting
carry-on luggage to only one bag and one personal item, such as a purse
or briefcase. The days when carry-on bags meant easier traveling than
bag checking are over, Parker said. Checkpoint waiting is so long that
checking more baggage and waiting to pick it up after a flight is usually
faster. New procedures for bar-coding luggage now reduce the risk of
losing bags in transit, he said.
- Travelers once
again can use curbside check-in on the airport terminal’s upper drive,
but vehicles can only stop for unloading passengers and luggage. Leaving
a vehicle unattended, even while checking luggage, will immediately
attract parking tickets and tow trucks.
As a final word of
advice, airport officials recommend being patient, planning time to get
used to new travel procedures and even bringing something to read while
you wait, since ticket counter and security checkpoint lines can be hours
long at certain times of the day.
Security also is
heightened on the tarmac, where aircraft are parked at boarding points
around the terminal, Parker said.
“We have both police
officers and ramp controllers who monitor things. All employees, including
airline employees, have a responsibility to challenge anyone in a secure
area who doesn’t have an ID badge prominently displayed,” he said.
Parker also said
people without badges are periodically sent to ramp locations, and cash
awards are made to employees who challenge them. At night, with fewer
aircraft maintenance and service workers on the tarmac, it’s “actually
easier to spot somebody skulking around” the planes, he said.
Related:
Sea-Tac expansion plans roll on despite fallout from terrorist attacks
Related: The Port of Seattle markets
$508 million in bonds to finance the first expansion phases
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