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American Morning

Public Reaction to Aviation Safety

Aired November 09, 2001 - 10:03   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's begin, though, with last night's speech. No question that life in America changed. And, last evening the president, in Atlanta, called this time the most difficult and the most inspiring. He also talked about the challenges that lie ahead.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our great nation -- national challenge is to hunt down the terrorists and strengthen our protection against future attacks. Our great national opportunity is preserved forever the good that has resulted. Through this tragedy, we are renewing and reclaiming our strong American values.

HEMMER: President concluded last night, "to my fellow Americans," he said, "let's roll." And those remarks greeted with no less than 11 standing ovations last evening. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez, now from Los Angeles, taking the pulse on how the country now is reacting. Thelma, good morning to you on the West Coast. Just about 7:00 AM where you are. Good morning.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. This is definitely one of the busiest airports in the entire country. All morning long, traffic has been very heavy. The two lanes that you can see right now are only open to commercial vehicles, shuttles and taxis. Private vehicles are restricted to the far lane on the other side of the orange cones that you see now. If you are picking up people, or you're dropping off passengers here at LAX, you must first park in the parking structure. You can no longer pull up to the curb. And many people find that inconvenient but say that is part of a new reality after 9-11. Now, security, as it is everywhere else in the nation, is a huge concern. Since the beginning of October, National Guard troops have been stationed here at LAX. At first, some people thought that it would be a little unnerving to see the guards in military uniforms carrying M-16 rifles amongst unarmed people. But not so many passengers say they actually feel safer in the presence of the National Guard, and last night the president said he wanted to increase that presence. Now, John Ginn is from Nashville. He travelled to Los Angeles, he is now going home. What do you think? Do you believe that the federal government should take over airport security in light of the recent security lapses?

JOHN GINN (ph), TRAVELER: Yes, I do think the government should take over the airport security because of what happened on September the 11th. So I'm for whatever it takes to have a better safety for the airports and for people -- for passengers.

GUTIERREZ: Do you not trust the current security in the airport?

GINN (ph): Not really. You know, because of what happened. And I think it would just be a lot better approach to have the government in charge of the security and have a more uniform plan.

GUTIERREZ: Now, John, you had said that you arrived here three hours early. We talked about some of the inconvenience to people who are traveling in and out of LAX. What do you think of that inconvenience? Are you willing to put up with it?

GINN (ph): I'm willing to do whatever it takes to feel safer. And, you know, if it takes three or four hours, I've got a wife and son, and they expect me to return home safely. So whatever it takes, you know, I'm all for it. If, you know, National Guard or having the government in charge. That's fine.

GUTIERREZ: Okay, John. Thank you very much. And the California Governor Gray Davis has requested additional guardsmen to patrol the perimeter of LAX. Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Thelma, thank you. Thelma Gutierrez, there, at LAX in Los Angeles.

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