CAA: GA News, "Passengers, pilots face extensive searches at airports before Olympics"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Friday, February 8, 2002

Passengers, pilots face extensive searches at airports before Olympics
By COLLEEN LONG
The Associated Press


DENVER (AP) -- Pilots and passengers on private aircraft headed to the
Olympics face extensive searches when make required stops at airports in
Colorado, Nevada and Idaho before landing in Salt Lake City.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring all private aircraft, from
corporate jets to single-engine Cessnas, to stop in Colorado Springs, Grand
Junction, Las Vegas or Boise, Idaho, for a security check before heading to
Salt Lake City.

Commercial airlines are exempt.

The screenings were to begin Friday at 6 a.m. and continue through Feb. 24.
Pilots must call a U.S. Customs Service number in Salt Lake City and reserve
an inspection time at one of the airports 48 hours ahead.

Passengers and pilots will have to leave the aircraft and submit to personal
searches. FAA officials said checks could take from 15 minutes to hours,
depending on plane size.

Searches will be performed by area law enforcement, FAA officials and
National Guard members.

Pilots must also pass background checks.

The two Colorado airports plan to use the planes' time on the ground to
promote the state.

"We put together goody bags for the passengers with Grand Junction brochures
and other Colorado brochures," said Alicia Salazar, spokeswoman for
Timberline Aviation, an aviation service at Walker Field Airport in Grand
Junction.

Timberline rented a big-screen TV and set up a children's room with games
and toys for passengers and pilots while they wait.

The Colorado Springs airport set up banners, furniture, computers and tables
with information on the community and the state for Salt Lake City-bound
passengers and pilots.

"We want to create an awareness of our community in case corporations are
looking to set up new offices," airport spokeswoman Mary Collins said.

Some worry the security regulations will hurt business.

"So much of what we do is on the spur of the moment. I'm worried no one will
want to bother with the hassle of flying now," said Carol Eichert of
Crossland Jet, a charter company in Grand Junction.

She said the company has no flights booked to the Olympics, though its
pilots went through the background checks.

Some pilots heading to the games plan to leave their aircraft in Grand
Junction and drive the 230 miles to Salt Lake City to avoid the regulations,
Salazar said.

Dan Alsum, chief pilot for Englewood-based Mayo Aviation, said the
regulations will increase passengers' costs, and that could slow business.
Mayo charges about $1,000 an hour, depending on the plane, and will have to
stop in Las Vegas for checks.

On The Net:

Colorado Springs Airport: http://www.flycos.com

Walker Field Airport: http://www.walkerfield.com

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