Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Heightened Airport Security Didn't Stop Travelers
By Ashley
Coleman
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- On the road for the
past week, Michelle Manfredi has noticed the heightened security at the nation's
airports.
"I don't mind it at all," Manfredi said Tuesday
afternoon.
Like many other travelers at Jacksonville International
Airport, she understands that airport officials have to take extra precautions
to keep passengers safe.
Michael Stewart, Director of External Affairs
for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, said about 10-thousand people will pass
through the airport each day this week.
At JIA, officials are randomly
searching vehicles and increasing the number of police dogs and transportation
security agents.
"We think besides raising the awareness, it makes
everybody a little bit more cognizant of their surroundings and it makes it a
safer environment," Stewart said.
The random car searches started Sunday,
after last week's attacks in Britain. Stewart went through the check earlier
this week.
"It takes less than a minute. They stop you, ask you to put
your car in park. They will look under your trunk, look under your hood and walk
around your car with a mirror to look under your car and check inside," he
said.
Stewart expects security to be tight for the next few days, as more
and more travelers pass through the nation's airport.
His advice to
travelers is to allow a little extra time for security lines and to pack a
little patience.
"We always encourage patience," Stewart said.
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