LAX raises holiday security standards

  MICHAEL LITSCHI An LAPD officer signals her dog to sniff
a passenger’s bag at LAX on Friday. Airports nationwide have beefed
up security since Sept. 11.

By Chris Young
Daily Bruin Reporter

About 690,000 passengers are expected to pass through Los
Angeles International Airport this Thanksgiving holiday ““ the
busiest travel weekend of the year ““ and airport officials
have increased security to accommodate them in the wake of federal
and state legislation.

Travelers will see larger security forces ““ complemented
by the National Guard ““ and stricter checkpoints and
regulations that were put in place after the events of Sept.
11.

“The National Guard, airport police, Los Angeles Police
Department and other law enforcement agencies are all working to
increase security at LAX so people feel safe in this current
environment to travel,” said Tom Winfrey, spokesman for Los
Angeles World Airport.

Tougher airport regulations are already in place. All airlines
now allow only one carry-on and one checked bag. Passengers can
still bypass the ticket line if they only have carry-on luggage.
During boarding, travelers now must show their ID in addition to
the boarding pass.

  MICHAEL LITSCHI Fifth-year economics student Sun
Han (left) waits in line at Terminal 1 at LAX Friday. Most
passengers waited 45 minutes to have their bags checked.
Nonticketed passengers cannot go beyond security points in the
airport terminal, so people cannot meet arrivals at the gate.

Airport security will conduct random bag searches and pat-downs
at security checkpoints and throughout the terminal, Winfrey
said.

Airline officials recommend that travelers arrive at least two
hours before their flight. They cannot be dropped off by private
cars curbside but can use parking structures in the Central
Terminal Area.

Van service Supershuttle said people should take a shuttle three
hours before their departure.

Anastasia O’Neill, press relations district manager of
Southwest Airlines, said there is a no tolerance security policy in
force.

“No knives, guns, scissors, and we must check the bags if
there are (sharp objects),” she said.

Passengers with a normally innocuous item such as a pair of
scissors must have it in their checked baggage, she said.

In anticipation of heavy holiday season travel, Gov. Gray Davis
announced Thursday at an LAX press conference that 245 National
Guard members would be deployed at 23 California airports, making
the total number of troops more than 1,000 throughout the
state.

“Wherever more security is needed, the National Guard will
be deployed there,” Davis said.

LAX will have 179 National Guard members from Thanksgiving
through Jan. 6. They will help LAX police with vehicle inspection,
parking lot security and curbside luggage screening, in addition to
other duties.

President George W. Bush signed a bill Monday that will require
screening of all checked bags, more air marshals on flights,
putting all private security forces at U.S. airports under federal
control and reinforcing cockpit doors, among other changes.

  MICHAEL LITSCHI The CTX5500 bomb/explosive detection
machine has now been installed in every terminal.

Lawmakers said some changes might take months or years, such as
checking bags for explosives, but the bill should give Americans
peace of mind immediately for the holiday season.

The bill will give funding for some security programs to start
immediately, such as adding more air marshals to flights, said
White House press secretary Ari Fleischer during a briefing
Sunday.

Grace Espinoza, a traveler from Sacramento flying out of LAX the
day Davis gave the press conference, boarded a flight one day after
American Airlines Flight 587 crashed in the Queens borough of New
York on Nov. 11. She was hesitant to get on the plane amid reports
of weapons and other security issues, she said, adding that
increased security would help.

“When I fly domestically, I’ve seen the increased
security and the National Guard presence would be
comforting,” she said.

With reports from Daily Bruin wire services.