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CNN Live Saturday

Security Tightened at the Airports

Aired September 30, 2001 - 14:22   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about travel and getting on airplanes. Having just flown from Atlanta up to Washington, D.C., I can tell you that the next time you go to the airport, you are going to notice some big changes. Patience is a requirement. And you're going to see armed guards, which are highly visible.

Let's talk more about airport security. Our Kathleen Koch is joining us from Dulles Airport outside of Washington. And Kathleen, of course, that is the only way to get into Washington these days. Reagan National still closed for business for now.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It sure is. And Daryn, that's partially responsible for the crowds that you see behind me here at Dulles International Airport. And the lines are actually moving quite well. One reason is that this is one of first airports in the country to reinstate curbside check-ins.

As you know, that was banned temporarily. But here, and in Chicago O'Hare Airport, United Airlines has gotten permission from the FAA to begin reinstating the curbside check in. Obviously, a much desired passenger convenience. And they say that other airlines will be able to resume that in the coming days, as they meet some more stringent security requirements.

Another change that we are seeing at the airports is that here at Dulles International Airport, along with putting the passengers through magnetometers and scanning them with the wand, they are actually padding down passengers, both male and female. Obviously, an added precaution to be certain that they don't have any passengers carrying on any hidden weapons of any sort.

Now the question is, is this making passengers feel more comfortable or more nervous? With us to talk about that are two ladies who are on their way to Italy today. Beverly Greenfeig and Lou Anne Stanley.

Ladies, what do you think about the added security that you're seeing all around you today?

BEVERLY GREENFEIG, PASSENGER: I want as much security as is necessary to make flying safe. I think whatever precautions Bush asked us to do, there should be no complaining and that we -- it's for our sake. It's not for anyone else's. So I'm in favor of whatever he wants. KOCH: Beverly, I know you found just moments ago that the State Department has issued a traveler's advisory for Americans like yourself traveling abroad. Does that concern you?

GREENFEIG: I didn't now it until someone mentioned, as you said, a couple minutes ago. It was a hard decision deciding whether to go or not. We did not make this lightly. And it is a concern. I think that -- my hope is that at least here, there will be a lot of precautions. And hopefully, there to.

We have heard that Italy is very kind -- they're very kind to Americans. They're very supportive of what's going on. And so, we hope that it's a good trip.

KOCH: Any thoughts on the new security measures that will be put in place eventually, the sky marshals armed in the cabins, helping keep an eye on things, stronger cockpit doors. Do you think that's going to be enough?

GREENFEIG: I wish it was today. OK? I would much more comfortable. I think it's a necessity. There's no reason that we didn't have better security before this happened. And that's half of it. It's more frightened to hear what wasn't going on.

And if this is what it took, it's a shame for so many people to die to get security, but this is what we need. This is what Israel's had for years. And we need to catch up with them.

KOCH: Lou Anne, Beverly, thank you very much. And have a safe trip.

And Daryn, as you noted, National Airport outside of Washington Reagan National does remain closed. And we're standing here at the Delta ticket counter. And if my camera can pan over, as you see, some of these faces working the counter here, and even checking some of the bags and going through them.

Most of these employees told me that they generally work at Reagan National Airport. And they've been brought here to handle the crowds, to make things flow more smoothly with these new security requirements in place, since the wait in line can be long, sometimes up to an hour. But all this, kind of smooth things along.

Obviously, these people hoping that perhaps early next week, they will be back at work at their original airport outside Washington. Daryn?

KAGAN: Well, Kathleen, in terms of Reagan National, I understand there's quite the debate between the symbolism and the economic impact it has to the Washington area, but still very strong concerns, even with the Bush administration, about the safety of having that airport operate so close to the nation's capital?

KOCH: Daryn, it's an issue of great concern, obviously, because the planes taking off and landing at National Airport can, within a matter of seconds, crash into the White House, the capital, any of the buildings up and down the mall, federal buildings. But then others raised the issue that the plane, which hit the Pentagon, came from here, came from Dulles International Airport, which is only three or four minutes flight time from downtown Washington.

So many people say, if you institute these added precautions, the secure doors on the cockpits, air marshals who are armed, flying on say every single flight in and out of National Airport, that that would be enough.

KAGAN: At Dulles International Airport, Kathleen, thank you very much.

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