Thursday, August 10, 2006
US Passengers Accept Additional
Airport Security Measures
By David Byrd
Voice of America - VOA
News
The terrorist plot to blow up aircraft flying between Britain
and the United States is having repercussions in many airports around the
world. Investigators have indicated the plot centered on a plan to use
liquid explosives, and many airports are now prohibiting passengers from
carrying any liquids on board with them. VOA's David Byrd went out
Washington's Dulles International Airport to speak with passengers and has this
report.
The security line stretched the length of Dulles airport and
check-in lines were crowded as well. Police with bomb-sniffing dogs were
patrolling the airport and Transportation Security Administration officials
asked passengers to put all liquids, including their morning coffee or any other
drinks, in large plastic bins.
Keith West and Marylin Brophy were on
their way home to Wyoming from Johannesburg, South Africa, and were surprised by
the restrictions.
"If it's for security, I'll do it, but most of it is
just standing in lines," West said.
"No, it doesn't bother me at all, if
it has to be done, it has to be done, but it's an inconvenience," said Brophy.
"If you want to fly you have to obey the rules."
As Transportation
Security Administration workers asked passengers to empty their carry-on luggage
of all liquids, Mandy Reshalwurtz, a student just back from Harvard University's
World Teach program in Namibia, said that she had heard the new rules, and did
not mind the long wait as long as it kept her safe.
"It's longer than
normal, I think," she said. "And we're still not even there yet, so we
have quite a ways to go. It's an inconvenience, but if it is going to make
things safer for us then it is worth doing. It just takes a minute to put
it in your checked baggage."
At the head of the line, Bryan Stewart of
Reston, Virginia, said he could accept the new restrictions if it meant a safe
flight.
"Well, if it keeps us safe, I'm all for it you know," he
said. "It's a little bit of a cost, but I'd rather be alive and have every
one else be alive and get where I am going safely."
The line continued to
snake through the terminal throughout the morning, but crowds were orderly, and
officials were making every effort to accommodate travelers. Because of the
delays caused by the increased security precautions, Washington Metro Airports
Authority officials are advising passengers to get to the airport even
earlier.
Click or paste the link to listen to the audio:
http://128.11.143.113/english/figleaf/ramfilegenerate.cfm?filepath=http%3A%2F%2F128%2E11%2E143%2E113%2Fmediaassets%2Fenglish%2F2006%5F08%2FAudio%2Frm%2FByrd%2Erm
Attached
Photo:
New signs taped on prohibited items list as passengers line up to
go through security checkpoint at Dulles International Airport outside
Washington DC, Aug. 10, 2006
ap_US_airport_Dulles_security_10aug06_210.jpg
