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CLEAR Temp: 55 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, October 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 11, 2003 Passengers line up for security checks at the Medford airport. Arriving earlier and waiting longer in line have become routine during peak flight times since the 9/11 attacks. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Most welcome post-9/11 security Some Medford airport travelers believe measures could be stronger, but others say they feel much safer than they did two years ago By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune If Rose Wheeler arrives at an airport in Germany, she expects to see security personnel wielding machine guns. This Grants Pass resident has traveled the world over and always has felt her home country came up short on security until after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. "The U.S. is really the only place that didn’t have any security measures," she said. "They are behind the curve." Wheeler is one of many passengers who welcomes the increased security at the Medford airport and feels more could be done to make flying safer. Advertisement "It’s about time," she said. Andrew Niero, acting federal security director for the Southern Oregon region of the Transportation Security Administration, said the measures are reminders of what happened two years ago. "We think of 9/11 every single day when we come to work," he said. "We want the general public to remember why we’re doing this." Airports and air travel are much safer than before the terrorist attacks, he insists. "I know in my heart it is," said Niero. "I very much feel we’re 100 percent safer." He wouldn’t discuss all the security measures in place at the Medford airport, but said there are now layers of security that have included the training of airline and airport personnel from the pilot to the janitor. Bigger airports even train personnel at airline catering companies. He agreed with Wheeler’s comment that security measures in the United States have lagged behind other countries. "Before 9/11, we were the innocents of the world," said Niero. He wouldn’t say whether there had been any incidents at the Medford airport related to terrorism. "Nothing I can talk about," he said. David Boyer of Weed, Calif., said the security measures have done little to make him feel safer. "If some terrorists want to cause damage, the security measures aren’t going to impede that," he said. Most measures seem reactionary rather than proactive, said Boyer. "If it happens in the same way, they would be covered," he said. His brother, Ben Boyer, said, "I don’t feel safer, nor do I feel more threatened." He thinks more could be done to beef up security, including more random searches. "They should devise new standards and new kinds of devices for detection," he said. Mirta Buckholtz of Phoenix, Ariz., said the new security measures make her feel safer. "I think it’s great," she said. A flight attendant, Buckholtz said she has undergone special training to pick out potential terrorists. "Anybody can be one," said Buckholtz, who asked that the name of her airline company not be used. "Even somebody who pretends to be sick." Ruth Lasley of Central Point said the security measures are necessary. "I think when you have a situation of that magnitude, you do everything necessary to keep people safe," she said. Still, some of the security measures, such as taking shoes off, are a nuisance, she said, and others, such as leaving baggage unlocked, leave Lasley worried about the safety of her belongings. Dick Wallace of Santa Ana, Calif., has gotten used to the security measures and isn’t bothered about the extra time spent at airports. He also knows what to expect, so screeners don’t have to spend too much time with him. "I just say I have a defibrillator," said Wallace, pointing to his chest. "And I just raise my arms." Despite the security measures, he doesn’t feel safer. "I sit there thinking if I were a terrorist, what would I do to screw this plane over," he said. "I can usually think of a thousand things." Airport director Bern Case said the new security measures haven’t hindered airport operations significantly. "The people that travel regularly have really adjusted and adapted," he said. "But people who travel once a year to grandma’s, well, we’re still confiscating pocket knives from time to time." Frequent users avoid having metal bracelets or shoes with metal in them, he said. Most passengers know they should come at least two hours in advance because if there are any hiccups in the system, they could miss their flight. However, frequent flyers also are savvy enough to know when the airport is crowded and when it is not, allowing them to cheat on this two-hour suggestion, said Case. "As a general rule, I just take a good book and prepare to wait," he said. After 9/11, passenger volumes dropped at the airport, but this year they have almost rebounded from 2000, when a record 492,065 people went through the terminal. Case expects 490,000 will use it this year. The airport has had a few arrests — including a bomb threat — but hasn’t had any terrorist activity, said Case. "One of the side benefits is that we’ve had a few more drug busts," he said. So far, there haven’t been any problems with stealing from people’s baggage, said Case, noting that the airport now has cameras covering most areas. Case hopes the second anniversary is like most days at the Medford airport. "I hope (today) is nice and slow and boring," he said Wednesday. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Security changes Measures instituted after 9/11 that are no longer followed: Trunk searches were required of all vehicles entering the airport. Security staff may still stop and search vehicles they deem suspicious at the entrance, however. Curbside parking to drop someone off or pick someone up was prohibited. Vehicles had to park 300 feet from the terminal. Newer measures still in place: Increased checking of both carry-on and regular baggage and 100 percent baggage screening for explosives. Removal of shoes sometimes required for closer inspection. Identification tags required on all baggage, including laptop computers. One-way turnstile into the airport for disembarking passengers. More detection equipment. More training for Transportation Security Administration personnel. Anticipated future measures: A security system is in the development stage that will access a database that would analyze various records to detect possible terrorists. For tips on traveling under the new security measures, see www.tsa.gov . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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