"Anchorage airport officials working to keep security tight"

Friday, March 21, 2003

Airport officials working to keep security tight
KTVA-TV, Anchorage (AK)


The war with Iraq may not be fought on U.S. soil but many Americans are
still concerned for their safety, and that includes when flying.

Thousands take off from and land at Ted Stevens International Airport
everyday and since America went to level orange terror alert status this
week airport security has been tightened.

The head of the Transportation Security Administration here in Alaska says
there's an exceptionally high level of security at Ted Stevens, both out in
the open and behind the scenes.

Ken Jarmin with the TSA says on the way into the airport authorities are
conducting car checks, stopping vehicles at random looking for anything
suspicious.

Once inside travelers can expect to see more law enforcement officers
patrolling the terminal as well as increased K-9 patrols.

There are also signs posted at the airport that ask the public to pay closer
attention to potential threats like unattended baggage or to report any
other unusual activity.

Today we asked travelers if all of these security measures are making a
difference.

"I was probably nervous a few days ago, but I'm feeling okay about it now."

"It looks like on the surface to be a lot of precautions but I don't think
if somebody has a real good plan that it's adequate to stop what's probably
going to happen in places like D.C. or N.Y."

"I've been told Anchorage is one of the better ones, My sister is flying out
of NY, she walked right on the plane virtually, I think we have a really
good system set up here."

"Really, I'm just ready for spring break. I'm excited to go, I'm not really
worried, not at all, no."

Jarmin says these security measures aren't the only ones in place. He says
several other measures are going on behind the scenes but he wouldn't go
into detail but says they deal with furthering the security of both
passengers and baggage screening.