"D/FW Says Elevated Safety Measures Not Slowing Motorists"

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Says Elevated Safety Measures Not Slowing
Motorists
The Dallas (TX) Morning News


Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport officials say new passenger parking
procedures have not caused delays. 

The airport instituted the procedures Friday after the Bush administration
issued a "Code Orange," or high-risk, terrorist alert to the nation. 

The country had been at an elevated risk, or "Code Yellow," designation. 

To comply with the new alert level, D/FW Airport officials closed 1,300
one-hour parking spaces and began random searches and visual inspections of
vehicles as they enter the airport's south and north toll plazas. 

Average vehicle inspections are taking eight to 10 seconds. 

Random searches are taking two minutes or less, according to a written
statement that D/FW Airport issued Monday. 

More than 35,000 vehicles use the plazas every day, officials said. 

Passengers may use all terminal parking except the upper level. 

Officials urged passengers to be on the lookout for signs, traffic cones and
police officers in the area. 

More than 12,000 close-in parking spaces remain open in the four terminal
garages, officials said. 

Vehicles parked in the north or south shuttle lots will not be subjected to
the inspections because their drivers are bused to the terminals. 

"We appreciate the cooperation of our drivers, and we're proud to say we've
elevated security during this 'level orange' event without slowing down our
passengers," said Alvy Dodson, vice president of public safety at D/FW
Airport.

"Keeping our guests safe and allowing them to get swiftly to their parking
lot and their flight is a team effort, and we're seeing the positive results
now."


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