Screening process at airport receives Fed review

A representative with the new Transportation Security Administration visited Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Wednesday as a first step toward federal government control of the airport's screening process.

The federal government started the process of taking over airport security nationwide Sunday.

The new system will be run by better-trained and higher-paid federal employees who will screen passengers and luggage.

The city of Cape Girardeau owns the screening equipment at the airport, but currently American Connection -- the only airline at the airport -- is responsible for the screening operations.

Bruce Loy, airport manager, said the regional airport is still several months away from having federal employees take over.

"All we know is that they'll be taking over," he said. "We have no exact date. We're supposed to be getting more information in the form of a contract fairly soon."

Loy said he expects federal officials to take over the screening process by November.

Taking inventory

The TSA representative took inventory of the airport's security equipment Wednesday, Loy said. He was also introduced to several of the city's police officers, who provide security for every arrival and departure.

National Guardsmen will also continue to provide security through March.

Nationwide, it appears that a smooth transition has been made from the airline employees and private security companies.

"I was with passengers a lot and they really didn't notice any difference," said Melanie Miller, a spokeswoman for Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Some arriving passengers said they saw tighter security.

"They were very thorough," said Alison O'Keefe of Boston, arriving at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., where a plane was hijacked Sept. 11 and crashed into the Pentagon. "They made me take my shoes off. They went through my purse."

The only things some passengers will notice at first are chairs to sit on when asked to remove their shoes to be checked for explosives, said John Magaw, undersecretary for transportation security. In addition, travelers inspected with handheld wands will have their valuables in front of them.

"I hope that they'll notice a slight difference in the courtesy," Magaw said.

Before the changeover, actions taken since Sept. 11 by the Transportation Department or mandated by Congress have tightened airline security.

The FAA, which, like the airlines, handed over security responsibilities to the new TSA, has closed airport concourses and rescreened passengers because of security breaches. Last month, the airlines began examining passengers' checked bags for explosives.

"Security is unquestionably much tighter," Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth Mead said. "People should feel much better about it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127