raffy
Aug 23, 02, 3:16 pm
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BCN) -- An official at the San Francisco International Airport today said that he expects SFO to meet year-end federal deadlines for tighter security without causing huge lines for passengers.
"I bet we will be able to do it," federal security officer Edward Gomez said of the Dec. 31 federal deadline for checking all baggage for explosive devices.
Gomez is spearheading the effort to integrate bulky, $1 million machines that detect explosives into the existing conveyor belt system for luggage at the airport.
To make the deadline and avoid huge lines, he said the airport will try a hybrid solution first, where the new equipment is used in tandem with dogs, hand checks and manual "match checks" of luggage.
Gomez said that passengers will not be unduly delayed by the tighter security.
"How much is too much security and how much is too long a wait?" asked Gomez. "We don't know yet."
The airport has recently purchased 11 CTX 9000 machines for detecting explosives and should have the system up and running in the international terminal by Oct. 1, he said. The domestic terminals will take longer.
Gomez talked with reporters today at the airport following a brief appearance by Admiral James Loy, the Acting Under Secretary of Transportation, who last month took over the Transportation Security Administration, the federal agency responsible for airport security.
Loy is on a nationwide tour to meet with airport officials and he said that "in the near future" he will repeal a series of security regulations that no longer make sense.
One change that he announced today is that travelers will no longer have to get rid of their coffee before passing through a checkpoint. Paper and Styrofoam cups can be carried through, he said, though glass, plastic and metal still have to go through the machine.
Travelers today at the airport didn't seem to mind the security inconveniences.
San Francisco resident Ferris Plock said, "Giving up freedom for security is totally worth it."
"I bet we will be able to do it," federal security officer Edward Gomez said of the Dec. 31 federal deadline for checking all baggage for explosive devices.
Gomez is spearheading the effort to integrate bulky, $1 million machines that detect explosives into the existing conveyor belt system for luggage at the airport.
To make the deadline and avoid huge lines, he said the airport will try a hybrid solution first, where the new equipment is used in tandem with dogs, hand checks and manual "match checks" of luggage.
Gomez said that passengers will not be unduly delayed by the tighter security.
"How much is too much security and how much is too long a wait?" asked Gomez. "We don't know yet."
The airport has recently purchased 11 CTX 9000 machines for detecting explosives and should have the system up and running in the international terminal by Oct. 1, he said. The domestic terminals will take longer.
Gomez talked with reporters today at the airport following a brief appearance by Admiral James Loy, the Acting Under Secretary of Transportation, who last month took over the Transportation Security Administration, the federal agency responsible for airport security.
Loy is on a nationwide tour to meet with airport officials and he said that "in the near future" he will repeal a series of security regulations that no longer make sense.
One change that he announced today is that travelers will no longer have to get rid of their coffee before passing through a checkpoint. Paper and Styrofoam cups can be carried through, he said, though glass, plastic and metal still have to go through the machine.
Travelers today at the airport didn't seem to mind the security inconveniences.
San Francisco resident Ferris Plock said, "Giving up freedom for security is totally worth it."