New restrictions actually speeding airport security

Aug 15, 2006 3:18 PM

The Transportation Security Administration banned all liquids and gels from being taken into airliner cabins on Thursday, in response to a foiled terrorist plot in London (see Breaking News from our sister magazine, GOVERNMENT SECURITY -- govtsecurity.com/news/AirlinePlot/). Surprisingly, after the first days, the new rules may have actually sped up the passenger screening process.
"In a way, the new guidelines have expedited the lines, although it may be a little more of an inconvenience for passengers," Greg Chin, a spokesperson for Miami International Airport, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The reason for the increased speed at checkpoints is the significant reduction in carry-on baggage, Chin says. However, the increased speed for the passengers comes with a price: The reduced load of carry-on items has translated to a "tremendous increase" in checked luggage, says TSA spokesman Christopher White.
"We are dedicating more of our resources to the checked baggage function, as opposed to the checkpoint," White told the newspaper.
The new TSA rules were relaxed slightly Sunday to allow up to 4-oz. doses of non-prescription medicine. But the TSA is now requiring passengers to remove their shoes for inspection at all checkpoints.
The rule tweaks have caused some confusion. For instance, children's juices had been allowed initially, but are no longer permitted. The result is some passengers still are trying to take juices aboard planes, TSA officials say.
For a complete list of prohibited items, visit www.tsa.gov.
"America is safer than it has been, yet it is not yet safe," President Bush told reporters at the National Counterterrorism Center just outside Washington on Tuesday. "The enemy has got an advantage when it comes to attacking our Homeland: they have to be right one time and we have to be right 100 percent of the time to protect the American people."

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue