Document text
Airport security changes Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Daniella Bergquist, left, and Chad Moore, both part of Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport's security detail, inspect a car before allowing it to enter the terminal area Friday night. Airport officials resumed curbside pickup and drop-off late Friday afternoon, with cars allowed to drive up to the terminal after being searched. By SARAH LEMON The long walk to the terminal is over at Medford's airport, but some are miffed by local security measures they say are tighter than those at major airports. Airport officials started allowing cars to stop at the curb to pick up or drop off travelers after receiving a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday afternoon. All cars, however, must be searched at a guard station well away from the terminal. "It's annoying to have to stop, but I guess that's what we're going to have to do," said Ashland resident Bonnie Banke as she waited for security personnel to search her vehicle before she dropped a friend off at the terminal. Security guards manning the plywood guard station open vehicles' doors and trunks, looking for any large packages that could contain explosives, said airport director Bern Case. Each check takes about two minutes, and only 12 cars at a time are allowed through the security checkpoint, he said. Case said the check isn't as invasive as a drug search. But if vehicles are toting too much luggage or other items - or if drivers don't consent to the search - they are waved into a parking lot, and the vehicle is not allowed near the terminal. Case said security guards are not looking for illegal items, other than explosives, but could notify police if they found any. Once waved through the security checkpoint, drivers are allowed to stop at the terminal's curb long enough to pick someone up or drop them off, but they have to keep moving. A new short-term parking area of 45 spaces near the terminal allows free parking for 30 minutes. Medford residents Steve and Stephanie Kimball said they're confused about why Medford airport's security is still so tight when California airports are letting cars stop near the terminals. "We're obviously a low-profile airport," Steve Kimball said. Airport administrative manager Craig Baldwin said FAA officials approve security measures that are somewhat individualized for every airport. Cars have not been allowed near the airport terminal since the events of Sept. 11 because the airport has not had enough security personnel to search vehicles, said Case. But FAA search criteria have recently changed, so fewer people are needed to perform the searches, he said. One guard now will be posted at the terminal curb at all times and at least one will check vehicles at the guard station, he said. The airport now has more guards from private security services. Since Sept. 11, approximately $100,000 has been spent from an emergency contingency fund for added airport security measures, such as guards. Case said he is looking to National Guard troops to help out after President Bush announced Friday that more guardsman would be made available to patrol the nation's airports. The Oregon National Guard announced Friday that an additional 18 Guard members would be placed in Oregon's airports. "I hope it affects us because I can use all the help I can get," Case said. He hopes to get another Guardsman at the airport before Thanksgiving, he added. Medford now has six Guard members who monitor the airport's baggage screening gate in shifts. Although the terminal area was opened, Case said he will go ahead with plans to install a blast-deflecting berm in front of the building because security personnel will have fewer vehicles to search. Jackson County has contracted with an engineering firm and expert blast analysis group to design the berm. The cost of the study is not yet available, but when it is completed, options will be presented to the FAA for evaluation, Case said. A completion date for the study has not been set, but Case said he wants the berm built before "the holiday rush." Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.