"Nebraska airports saw 201 security lapses in past decade"

Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Nebraska airports saw 201 security lapses in past decade 
The Associated Press


OMAHA - At least 201 security lapses were detected at the state's
airports in the past decade, prompting federal regulators to recommend
fines, mostly against airlines, totaling $172,325. 

At the same time, there were 198 other cases of airline passengers or
others who breached security, including some who tried to carry a gun
onto an airplane, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal
Aviation Administration data for Nebraska. 

Most Nebraska violations from 1990 to 2000 were the fault of airlines
flying out of Omaha or Lincoln and were discovered by federal inspectors
or local authorities. 

"In most cases, someone did not follow all the procedures," said Bob
McNally, director of operations for the Lincoln Municipal Airport.
"Nobody crashed the gate. Nobody assaulted an aircraft." 

Airlines are responsible for airport checkpoints and checking carry-on
bags, luggage and cargo. Airports provide security at terminals and
runways. 

That dual security system worked in 178 cases at Omaha's Eppley Airfield
and 20 cases at Lincoln Municipal Airport where passengers and other
individuals violated security and were caught. While most violators
received warning letters, federal regulators recommended fines of up to
$8,000 for 26 passengers. 

About seven out of every eight security lapses in Nebraska occurred at
Eppley Airfield, where seven of every eight passengers boarded flights
in the state last year. 

"When you put into perspective how many people fly in and out of Eppley,
it has a pretty small number of security breaches," said Scott Tarry
with the aviation institute at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 

"Of course, just one breach of security can create an enormous
catastrophe," he said. 

Ten major airlines and nine regional commuter services fly out of Omaha.
Passengers must go through one of two checkpoints. Northwest Airlines
runs the airport's south checkpoint while Delta Air Lines is the
custodian for the north checkpoint. 

"I'm comfortable enough to say the airlines have done a good job," said
Don Smithey, executive director of the Omaha Airport Authority. "I say
that because we have never had a major incident in Omaha or something
that occurred in Omaha that caused a major incident for an airline." 

Seventeen security violations occurred at Lincoln Municipal Airport in
the 1990s. Eleven security lapses were detected at Western Nebraska
Regional Airport in Scottsbluff, and two violations apiece were found at
Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island and Karl Stefan
Memorial Airport in Norfolk. 

Security lapses at the smaller airports involved airlines failing to
screen some carry-on bags or checkpoint X-ray machines that were not
operating properly. 

The security violations in Omaha led to $138,200 in suggested fines
while those in Lincoln led to recommended fines of $41,100. The amounts
of fines imposed and paid by violators was not disclosed. 

For violations in Omaha and Lincoln, federal regulators suggested fining
Northwest Airlines $57,500, United Air Lines $47,000, and Trans World
Airlines $41,000. 

By comparison, the airports faced a total of $3,450 in fines.

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