"Airport Security Report's Threats And Scares"

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Airport Security Report's Threats And Scares
Airport Security Report


DATE & SITE: June 11 ? Manchester Airport (MHT), N.H. AREA*: 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Libertarian party member Russell Kanning was arrested while
protesting airport security measures. RESULT: Kanning, carrying a Bible and
the Declaration of Independence, refused to comply with several requests to
leave the checkpoint screening area. Kanning said he was protesting ID
checks and pat-down searches and, generally, security measures that burden
the traveling public without deterring terrorists. He was initially fined
$1,000, but only had to pay $200 after he pled guilty in a local district
court. Editor's note: This could be a new wrinkle in the annals of threats
and breaches, where the security procedures themselves, in raising the
public ire, cause further problems. 

DATE & SITE: June 17 ? Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Colo. AREA*: 2
CIRCUMSTANCES: Pagosa Springs, Calif., resident William Mitchell was
carrying a plainly visible and holstered handgun. RESULT: Initially,
officials saw Mitchell attempt to hide the gun with his shirttail. When
airport personnel called police, a total of nine officers from four
different local law enforcement offices responded. Mitchell, who had come to
pick up his wife, was reported as very cooperative and making no threatening
moves. Editor's note: Under Colorado law, carrying a loaded firearm or
explosive device into a public transportation center is a Class 6 felony.
Airport officials turned the case over to the district attorney, who will
determine whether to press charges. 

DATE & SITE: June 18 ? Palmerston North Airport (PMR), New Zealand AREA*: 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: An unclaimed package caused a brief scare when it was
X-rayed, but only scooter batteries were found inside it. RESULT: While a
full investigation was under way, passengers on a flight from Aukland were
detained an hour. Police also closed the terminal for two hours, and three
departing flights were delayed. Editor's note: This incident highlights the
extra concerns that arise when packages are left for a time unclaimed. As a
PMR official said, just the fact that an item is unattended leads to
suspicions of a security risk. 

* Codes where security incident originated: 1 ? Roadway/parking lot/off
airport 2 ? Public ticket lobby/baggage claim 3 ? Security checkpoint 4 ?
Sterile concourse/gate area 5 ? Checked baggage/cargo screening 6 ? Inside
aircraft 7 ? Airside operations area 8 ? Airport perimeter 9 ? Unknown 

Compiled from various news sources by Airport Security Report 


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