Two detection machines tested at McCarran

Jace Radke

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 | 10:59 a.m.

Two portals that shoot small puffs of air at travelers to check for explosives have been installed at McCarran International Airport, making the facility the only airport in the country with two of the machines in use.

These explosive trace portal machines, which look like oversized metal detectors, are operating at the C and D Gates as part of the Transportation Security Administration's continued testing of new technologies designed to help screen passengers more effectively.

McCarran Federal Security Director Dennis Clark said that he is excited to be testing the machines at McCarran, and has said that the technology should allow screeners "to get people through screening faster because they don't have to spend the time to pat them down."

Clark, who first talked to the Sun about the portals when they were announced in December, said that he has talked to security directors at the other nine airports using the portals and has heard that the portals are working very well.

Both machines will be used mainly for screening "selectees," passengers that change or book flights at the last minute and are subject to additional screening.

Passengers are asked to stand still inside the portal while several quick puffs of air are released. The portal is then able to analyze the air for traces of explosives, TSA officials said.

The machines take roughly 30 seconds to scan a passenger, TSA spokeswoman Jennifer Peppin said.

At McCarran the TSA will be evaluating electrical and logistical requirements for running multiple trace detection portals at the same airport. The TSA will also be collecting information on security and customer service impacts, TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said.

Elaine Sanchez, a spokeswoman for McCarran, said that the airport is looking forward to having the new technology to efficiently and safely screen passengers.

More than 40 million passengers travel through the airport annually, but only a small percentage of those passengers will experience the new technology, at least initially, because there will be only two machines at the airport. It is not known yet whether or not McCarran will receive more machines if they prove successful.

The machines, which cost about $125,000 to $150,000 each, are also being used at security checkpoints in Rhode Island, New York, California, Florida and Mississippi.