Copyright 2002 The Omaha World-Herald Company Omaha
World Herald (Nebraska)
November 19, 2002, Tuesday SUNRISE
EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 1a;
LENGTH: 857 words
HEADLINE:
Forgetful fliers get a nudge A campaign aims to ease screening problems during
the busy holiday season. Going on a trip
BYLINE:
By Henry J. Cordes
SOURCE: WORLD-HERALD STAFF
WRITER
BODY: The contraband filled a
bin and covered a table: box cutters, shotgun shells, a hammer, flammable
liquids, letter openers, dozens of pocket knives and an array of scissors in
every imaginable size, shape and color.
And it was all
collected in just a week's time by the federal security screeners at Omaha's
Eppley Airfield.
More than a year after the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks that forever transformed flying as we know it, many air
travelers clearly are still clueless when it comes to what they can and can't
bring on a plane.
At the very least, many aren't giving
much thought to what's in their pockets and carry-ons before they arrive at the
security checkpoint.
With the coming holiday season
expected to send millions of Americans back into the skies, the new federal
agency in charge of air security wants to do something about that.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Monday
launched an educational campaign aimed at easing Americans' trip through the
airport security gantlet.
The "Prepare for Takeoff"
campaign includes a Web site with tips on what you can and can't bring, how to
pack and even what to wear next time you board a plane. All could help you avoid
setting off any alarms or losing that favorite pocket knife or pair of sewing
shears.
"Our goal is to help travelers make choices
before departure that lead to a secure and efficient air travel experience for
everyone," said Mike Kudlacz, the federal security director at Eppley.
Kudlacz announced the campaign at an Omaha press
conference Monday in which the TSA also marked its one-year anniversary and
celebrated meeting the deadline set by Congress to have federal screeners in the
nation's 429 commercial airports.
The agency certainly
has come far from a year ago, when President Bush signed a new air security act
and the new agency existed only on paper. Critics at the time said the agency
couldn't get more than 40,000 screeners hired and trained in time for the Nov.
19 deadline.
"They painted a dark picture of mass
confusion, missed flights and, most importantly, failed security," Kudlacz said.
"But we did it."
The TSA is moving ahead on meeting its
next deadline, having all checked bags screened for bombs by the end of the
year. Eppley is on track to meet its bag-screening deadline,
with work set to begin soon on installation of equipment that can detect traces
of explosives on bags.
By the time that equipment is in
place and fully operational - tentatively set for mid-December - the TSA will
have nearly 300 screeners in Omaha.
While the TSA is
getting its act together, passengers still have a lot to learn.
Nearly all the banned items collected in Omaha daily would have been
considered fairly harmless 15 months ago. But in the wake of Sept. 11, they're
seen as potential weapons.
The problem is that many
passengers still aren't thinking about such things when they're packing for a
trip and preparing to board a plane.
In general, if an
item is sharp or if it could be used to harm someone, you're better off putting
it in your checked bag or not taking it on your trip.
The TSA also suggests air travelers should "dress the part."
They should avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other
accessories with lots of metal that will set off checkpoint alarms.One special
tip for holiday travelers: Consider not wrapping gifts you're carrying until you
reach your destination, or send them ahead. Your handiwork could end up torn to
shreds should security screeners need to check the package.
If you do show up at security with your favorite pocket knife or some
other banned item, TSA officials say you don't necessarily lose it. Depending on
your airline, you may be able to go back and put it in a checked bag. Or you
could run it to your car.
"They don't have to abandon
it," said Michael Seiter, a TSA screening manager in Omaha. "We want them to
know they do have options."
Going on a trip?
Some tips from federal "Prepare for Takeoff" campaign that
could ease your trip through airport security:
Dress
the part
Avoid clothing containing metal, including
jewelry, shoes with steel toes, shanks or buckles, metal belt buckles or
under-wire brassieres.
Instead of going through pockets
at the checkpoint, consider putting keys, loose change, cell phones, pagers or
jewelry into carry-on before going through security.
Pack outer coat or jacket in bag rather than bringing through
checkpoint.
Pack smart
Remember limit of one carry-on bag plus one personal item such as
laptop, purse, small backpack or briefcase.
Don't carry
banned items, which include most sharp objects and other potential weapons, on
your person or in carry-on. Many, but not all, can be carried in checked bag.
Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in
carry-on.
Avoid overpacking bags. They might be opened
for inspection.
Wait to wrap gifts. They may be opened
during inspection.
Links to complete list of banned
items, preflight checklist and other tips at Omaha.com.
GRAPHIC: Color Photo/1 Items
confiscated in one week by federal security screeners at Omaha's Eppley Airfield
were displayed Monday. Screeners, in back, marked the Transportation Security
Administration's one-year anniversary.; KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD/1sf
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