SEA construction runors - true or false?

I heard a rumor that SEA is going to make a single security checkpoint for all the concourses.

I also heard that SEA is constructing a train that will go directly from the North and South terminals.

I saw some artist's renderings of a big, grand security checkpoint planned for the new terminal -- but I don't think it would be practical to funnel all airport traffic through there. For one thing they'd have to reroute the North and South Satellite trains so they pulled up adjacent to the central checkpoint. And anyway this was before 9/11. Security takes more time now.

It looks to me as if the new arrangement for the D and N gates is here to stay -- they're refurbishing the train "station" down there, directly below the current security checkpoint. The new landside terminal currently being built could accommodate a similarly big checkpoint for the A and S gates, but the B and C concourses are still well separate. I don't know how you'd consolidate security for B and C short of "sterilizing" all space behind the main terminal ticket counters, which would leave no space (or food, or shopping) for meeters and greeters. Meet-and-greeter clogging is already a serious issue in the terminal since 9/11.

So on balance I can't see how they'd go to less than four checkpoints.

As for the train, there are definitely plans for a pure airside shuttle train among the terminals. There's a new platform for one under the D gates, opposite the departure point for the North Satellite train.

The current trains used to run in three-stop loops: Main Terminal -- North Satellite -- C Concourse and Main Terminal -- South Satellite -- B Concourse. That helped with codeshare transfers, etc. But after 9/11 they cut out the C and B Concourse stops, I guess because they only want you to go to the pier or satellite used by your airline.

Answer to #1: TRUE!

Answer to #2: False (kind of)

#1 - the Central Terminal Project presently underway includes consolidation of the B & C Concourse security checkpoints to the center of the terminal (there is a model of the new expansion at the point where the checkpoint entrance will be located). The project is being adjusted to include additional checkpoint equipment as a result of 9/11. The entire project will be completed in 2004. The airport will then have 3 security checkpoints - 1 at the south end of the terminal (which will mirror the D/N checkpoint), one in the central terminal, and the existing D/N checkpoint. Also, circulation will be redesigned so one can walk between the A/B/C/D gates entirely on the secure side.

#2 - the "Terminal Shuttle" train (which runs from the Main Terminal North station to the Main Terminal South station exists and was running until late last year - it is now being renovated and will reopen in 2004. No new train tunnels/routes will be constructed.

Question:

Anybody know if there are any plans to:

1) Update the ceiling/lights in the current N terminal? They just seem really old. So does the carpet, but oh well...

2) Is there space ABOVE the N terminal, like the South terminal, where a lounge of some sort can be put? The RCC in Seattle is ok and all, but you feel like your in a dungeon down there. No windows :-( Maybe they ought to make one way windows that show into the baggage sorting area or something, that'd be intersting.

3) Any idea when the "other" train will be put back into service on the Main->North route, to reduce it back to 3 or so minutes?