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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 9, 2006 Transportation security officer Ken Christopher runs baggage through the Medford airport�s new CT scanner. Suspicious items are highlighted on a computer screen and the baggage is manually searched. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) Tightening travel security By Damian Mann Mail Tribune New baggage scanners that look like sci-fi teleportation devices should make holiday travel a little easier at the Medford airport. "They are pretty crazy," said Matt Ireland, a Southern Oregon University student who was heading home to Anchorage, Alaska, Friday. The two Reveal CT-80 scanners cost $285,000 each and are designed to check up to 100 bags an hour. They work much like a hospital CT scan, but detect and highlight on a screen suspicious-looking objects in baggage. Olaf Bendixen, of Spokane, Wash., who worked helping set up the new Home Depot here for Vantage Project Services, looked at the new scanners and said, "The first thing I think in the back of (my) mind is, do I have anything bad in my bags?" Airport Director Bern Case said the baggage checking used to get backed up from time to time under the old system of manual searches. "That backup is going to be minimal now," he said. Advertisement The Medford airport is the second airport after Redmond to get the scanners on the West Coast. Case said federal officials wanted to wait to install the technology after the airport completes its new terminal, but, he said, "We wanted it now." Tina Burke, Oregon stakeholder manager for the Transportation Security Administration, said efforts by airport officials and congressional representatives from Oregon helped get the scanners in Medford. "We're hoping that when they get the new terminal, we will get more machines," she said. After passengers check in with the airline, their checked-in baggage is placed on a conveyor belt and enters the scanner. If a suspicious object is detected, the machine puts an image on a computer screen with the object highlighted. If the object can't be identified, security officials will open the bag to inspect it. The new machines are only designed for checked-in luggage. Carry-on luggage still will be searched by hand. Josh Beliveau, a transportation security officer from San Diego, said the scanners do look a little unusual, describing them as "the bug — the little Volkswagen." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com