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CNN Live At Daybreak
Terror Alert: Security Bumped Up at Atlanta Airport
Aired December 22, 2003 - 06:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well one of the nation's busiest airports is Hartsfield-Jackson. It's right here in Atlanta. And if you are flying out of there this morning, you better wear some clean socks. You'll likely have to -- will likely have to remove your shoes for the security screeners. We all love doing that.
Well Alicia Barnes of our Atlanta affiliate, WXIA, is live with us at Hartsfield.
Alicia, what's the situation there this morning?
ALICIA BARNES, WXIA-TV REPORTER: Good morning.
That's right, along with your socks, they say to be able to put everything inside the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) bin. They say it will save you some time. Airport officials also recommend that you arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes ahead of time, they say that you'll make your flight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALICIA BARNES, WXIA-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Signs went up almost immediately after the terror alert rose from yellow to orange.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So they changed the cards right in front of us. So I was startled. Like, OK, what is going on? But all in all, I fell OK, only because you know we've got a lot of security around here.
BARNES: And updated announcements ring throughout the airport to make sure all passengers are aware.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your attention please, airport security alert. The Homeland Security threat level is currently at orange. Please maintain control of your bags at all times.
BARNES: The reminder comes as bigger-than-usual crowds hurry in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport trying to get to their holiday destinations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being that we're from the suburbs of New York City, we're used to that because it's in constant orange alert. And I mean it's scary, but we'd rather be aware of it than have a problem.
BARNES: But now the changes are visible here, too, more police officers, more random car searches and more restricted parking close to the terminals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think airport security is tighter than it's ever been. I mean I think it's more safe now to fly than before.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Still the safest way to travel, I mean. So, yes, I feel pretty comfortable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BARNES: There's also been more barricades that have been set up to keep people from parking 300 feet from the airport. And also, to keep them from parking closer to the terminal. Again, airport officials recommend to get here at least 90 minutes before you are scheduled to depart.
We're live at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Alicia Barnes, CNN, Atlanta.
CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you very much, Alicia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 22, 2003 - 06:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well one of the nation's busiest airports is Hartsfield-Jackson. It's right here in Atlanta. And if you are flying out of there this morning, you better wear some clean socks. You'll likely have to -- will likely have to remove your shoes for the security screeners. We all love doing that.
Well Alicia Barnes of our Atlanta affiliate, WXIA, is live with us at Hartsfield.
Alicia, what's the situation there this morning?
ALICIA BARNES, WXIA-TV REPORTER: Good morning.
That's right, along with your socks, they say to be able to put everything inside the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) bin. They say it will save you some time. Airport officials also recommend that you arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes ahead of time, they say that you'll make your flight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALICIA BARNES, WXIA-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Signs went up almost immediately after the terror alert rose from yellow to orange.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So they changed the cards right in front of us. So I was startled. Like, OK, what is going on? But all in all, I fell OK, only because you know we've got a lot of security around here.
BARNES: And updated announcements ring throughout the airport to make sure all passengers are aware.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your attention please, airport security alert. The Homeland Security threat level is currently at orange. Please maintain control of your bags at all times.
BARNES: The reminder comes as bigger-than-usual crowds hurry in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport trying to get to their holiday destinations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being that we're from the suburbs of New York City, we're used to that because it's in constant orange alert. And I mean it's scary, but we'd rather be aware of it than have a problem.
BARNES: But now the changes are visible here, too, more police officers, more random car searches and more restricted parking close to the terminals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think airport security is tighter than it's ever been. I mean I think it's more safe now to fly than before.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Still the safest way to travel, I mean. So, yes, I feel pretty comfortable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BARNES: There's also been more barricades that have been set up to keep people from parking 300 feet from the airport. And also, to keep them from parking closer to the terminal. Again, airport officials recommend to get here at least 90 minutes before you are scheduled to depart.
We're live at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Alicia Barnes, CNN, Atlanta.
CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you very much, Alicia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
