Airline security in hands of feds

Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 | 9:10 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

CHANTILLY, Va. -- Airline passengers had their airport routines sharply altered after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and now the way they're protected has changed as well.

The new Transportation Security Administration took over responsibility for airline security Sunday, the first step toward a system where better-trained, higher-paid federal employees screen passengers and luggage.

The change went virtually without notice at McCarran International Airport. Passengers didn't see much of a difference, airport spokeswoman Debbie Millett said.

"It's the same people wearing the same uniforms, and we don't anticipate any problems or delays for travelers," Millett said.

Since the security administration has said that it will not contract with Argenbright, a change in the screeners will eventually have to take place at McCarran, but airport officials said they don't know when that will happen.

Airport officials could not comment on the number of federal personnel at McCarran, but did say that they would be in supervisory roles in the screening operation.

"We still have Argenbright in place, and we expect the transition to be seamless," Millett said.

The new system received two early tests in Los Angeles and New York today.

At Los Angeles InternationalAirport, an inactive Army National Guardsman tried to pass an nonfunctioning military explosive through airport security and was arrested. A screener became concerned after noticing the device, which resembled an M-80 firecracker, said Sgt. Greg Glodery of the Los Angeles Police Department. A Federal Aviation Administration official said the device was found in the man's carry-on luggage.

At New York's La Guardia Airport, a flight that had left for Cleveland was forced to return after it was discovered that one passenger had not been properly screened, FAA spokesman Laura Brown said in Washington. A concourse was evacuated and passengers were screened again after the flight returned.

Passengers at Washington Dulles International Airport were pleased with the changes, even if security is tougher.

Tanie Guy, an Oracle Corp. employee, now arrives two hours early at the airport. "They're a bit stricter, to say the least," he said before going through the security checkpoint en route to San Francisco.

"If a private organization does it, they're looking to make money so they're cutting costs and cutting corners in order to make money," said Brandon Buhai of Chicago, departing O'Hare Airport, also for San Francisco.