"Ohio airport installs device to speed luggage checks"

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Airport installs device to speed luggage checks
Screening machine puts 'express' into Toledo flying
By ERICA BLAKE
The Toledo (OH) Blade


Ray Jacob finds himself going in and out of airports several times a week.

A businessman from Lafayette, La., Mr. Jacob, 39, said he has gotten used to
the winding lines and added security measures. So he noticed when an extra
line was taken out of his trip through Toledo Express Airport.

Airport officials yesterday unveiled a new security system that screens
luggage for explosives after it is checked in and before being loaded on the
planes. The $1.3 million machine will reduce the need for manual searches of
passengers' baggage, airport officials said.

"Of course I see a convenience in that," Mr. Jacob said. "But one negative
is that I won't know how they're handling the bags after they leave my
sight."

The screening machine - paid for by the federal Transportation Security
Administration - is one of two the airport will have. A second one will be
installed this summer, said Paul Toth, director of airports.

The machine is designed to scan bags as they go through it on a conveyer
belt, about one every 20 seconds, Mr. Toth said. The machine will sound an
alarm when it detects something with a high density similar to explosives.
An X-ray will enable TSA employees to check for unusual objects - such as
devices with wires - within the bags as well.

For its part, Toledo Express paid to renovate its back room area to
accommodate the machine. The $40,000 spent on the room is part of the
airport's $22 million expansion and renovation project.

Toledo Express is the second airport in its category to have the machines
installed. Only the airport in Lexington, Ky., has a similar Explosives
Detection System, said Robert Turay, federal security director for Toledo
Express. Other larger airports, like Detroit Metropolitan Airport, have had
the devices for some time.

Mr. Toth described the machine as "the latest technology" that offers three
advantages, including added convenience to passengers who will no longer
have to get in a line to have their checked luggage searched. It also allows
security

to screen each checked bag for explosives - instead of random samples - and
takes all human error out of identifying explosive devices, Mr. Toth said.

"The technology of the machine is that it will pinpoint the threat, anything
with the density of explosives," he said. "It will also tag items like
peanut butter because it has the same density. So don't bring peanut butter
on the plane."

Betty Brauchle, of Bowling Green, flies out of Toledo Express at least two
or three times a year. Although she tries to speed up her trips through the
airport by packing small, carry-on bags, Mrs. Brauchle said she appreciates
any added convenience that security teams can offer.

"When I came in this last time, I went to the counter, got my ticket, and
the next thing I knew, I was through security in a whiz," she said. "It was
done nicely, really nicely."

Attached Photo's:

The $1.3 million security system at Toledo Express Airport reduces the need
for manual searches of passengers' baggage 

Contents are displayed as luggage psses through the screening device. A
second machine will be added this summer.

Toledo1.jpg

Toledo2.jpg