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Bus shelters set for air travelers Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Rogue Valley Transportation District bus stop shelters are set up along the Medford airport terminal road to give passengers a protected place to wait for rides. The road was closed to traffic as a safety measure when the airport reopened following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. National Guard troops will arrive Saturday to begin armed patrols, beefing up Medford's airport security By DANI DODGE No more sitting in the burning sun or beating rain waiting for a lift at the Medford airport. The Rogue Valley Transportation District is lending the airport three bus shelters for people who are waiting for rides or taxis. "We've had people out there waiting, being dropped off or being picked up, and they had no shelter," said airport director Bern Case. "We need a long-term solution - but this is a great short-term solution. "We're really grateful to RVTD." The airport is still recuperating from being closed after the terrorist attacks Sept. 11. As part of increased security, six members of the National Guard are expected to arrive Saturday to begin armed patrols. Other safety measures, implemented earlier, include not allowing people to drop off passengers and luggage in front of the terminal. Now the closest a car can get to the terminal is 300 feet. That means people who want to simply drop off or pick up an air traveler must do so about that far from the terminal. And now, thanks to RVTD, there's a bus stop shelter for those fliers. "You know, 'united we stand,'" said Sherrin Coleman, the RVTD general manager. "We are part of the community and whatever we can do with the airport we will do." Coleman said RVTD has about 50 shelters throughout its district. The shelters, made of Plexiglas and anodized aluminum, cost between $900 and $1,200. RVTD had a few new shelters in storage because several bus stop locations being upgraded are under construction. Coleman said she's glad the airport could put them to good use. "We have a plan to upgrade all our passenger amenities," Coleman noted. Case said despite the inconvenience of not having terminal drop off and pick up, airport traffic is already back up to about 80 percent of normal. Volunteers pushing wheelchairs make sure the frail or disabled get a quick ride to the terminal from the parking lot. Case said because travelers have embraced air travel again so quickly, it's likely the airport's September flights and passenger numbers won't be as bad as some people had expected. "We had a great first 10 days of September and we are already back to 80 percent," Case said Thursday. "Every day it's getting a little better." Case said six Guard members have been assigned to patrol the airport in shifts 24 hours a day. They originally had been expected Thursday, but because of additional training, the date was delayed. Maj. Gen. Alexander Burgin, who leads Oregon's Air and Army National Guard units, said the airport guards would be armed, but weapons would be used only in extreme emergency. "We don't take this lightly," he said. Case had requested that troops here carry guns. When officials announced plans for the airport deployment, they said the troops would be unarmed. Many other states immediately put armed Guard soldiers in their airports. Burgin said that had nothing to do with Oregon's change of heart. Soldiers learned how to switch from a military to a security mindset, Burgin said. "This does not make these soldiers police officers. But it does give them some training in how to use a weapon in a crowded area." Burgin said. "We see National Guard members in uniform looking professional. I think it assures people," Burgin said. Mail Tribune reporter Sarah Lemon and The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.