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CNN Live Event/Special

America Under Attack: Dulles International Airport Opens

Aired September 13, 2001 - 19:25   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: We saw a plane leave Dulles International Airport. I think it was two and a half hours ago, All Nippon flight leaving back for Tokyo, Japan. Going to go there now, Kathleen Koch stationed there. Kathleen, what do you have for us now?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, the FAA has announced that the closest airport to the nation's capital, Reagan National Airport, will now remain closed for the foreseeable future. They are saying that that decision has been made because of, quote, "its proximity to key federal installations," including the Pentagon.

Now, what that will mean is that anyone in the Washington, D.C. area wanting to try to fly out will have to come here, to Dulles International Airport, or go to Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

Now, as you mentioned, the first flights finally started departing here about 5:30 this evening, an All Nippon flight bound for Tokyo, Japan. And people were indeed very relieved to get on it and be able to leave.

So, things are beginning to get back to business here, albeit on a much smaller scale than normal. You are seeing people lining up at the ticket counters, you are seeing people -- of course, no curb-side check, and that has been eliminated. And very interestingly, some people are getting quite a surprise when they approach the security screening checkpoints. Not only have are knives and box cutters no longer allowed in carry-on baggage, any sharp metal object is banned. So, we saw numerous men opening up their shaving kits and throwing our razor after razor into the trash can.

And what is very telling, Bill, is the fact that the people who are manning these check points have told us that they have not had one single passenger complain about that at all today. One woman who was confiscating those razors said that when it comes to security, that now people really do understand.

Another thing that we have noted here at the airport is that, as across America, American flags are popping up everywhere. We are seeing them. There are two of them hanging on the control towers, they are popping up behind the departure counters. This airport is under construction, so construction cranes are actually flying the American flag. Even ground crew vehicles, they're moving around. So, Bill, we are seeing here that, again, as in New York, as across the country, there is a real determination to express that feeling that America is not giving up and will persevere.

HEMMER: Kathleen, I got a call from my sister yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio, saying a Wal-Mart there was handing the flags out for free for anyone who came into the store. Curious to know from the passengers that you've talked to today, did they have any apprehension about climbing back on board one of these planes -- 757, 767 and the like?

KOCH: Bill, we talked to passengers here yesterday who were coming to pick up their bags asking them that question, and then passengers leaving today, and to a person everyone said they believe that now, with this additional security that is being implemented, that they will be safer than say they would have been flying on Monday.

That does not mean that they are not nervous. That does not mean that they are not apprehensive. But they believe that what has been done at least is a good stop toward making the entire nation safer when they fly.

HEMMER: Kathleen Koch, live at Dulles. Kathleen, thanks. When you get more, let us know.

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