Impact 9-11: Security detail

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On Sept. 11, 2001, Rob Hancik, director of aviation for the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, was out of town but not out of touch. He was attending the Airport Council International's bi-annual world conference in Montreal, Canada when he heard the grisly news that four jets loaded with passengers had gone down. "Everybody was just in shock," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

Though stranded in Canada due to the immediate airport shutdown, Hancik was updated regularly through a hotline at the Federal Aviation Administration's command center in Washington, D.C. He finally got back to Springfield on Sept. 13. |ret||ret||tab|

Hancik's new mantra is security. Chief among his concerns are compliance with the congressionally mandated federalization of all U.S. checkpoints and implementation of total baggage screening by Dec. 31.|ret||ret||tab|

The continuous-scanning, explosive-detection system being installed at U.S. airports is the eXaminer 3DX 6000 and is manufactured by New York-based L-3 Communications. The approximate $1 million price tag per unit is paid by the Transportation Security Administration, said a spokesperson for L-3.|ret||ret||tab|

There also will be 50 to 70 security personnel added as screeners and at other positions, said Sherry Wallace, marketing director for the airport. A federal security director, Clem Spencer, will oversee security issues for airports in Springfield, Joplin, Cape Girardeau and Fort Leonard Wood, she added. |ret||ret||tab|

"Just about every decision we make pretty much has to evaluate whether there's a security component that needs to be addressed in that decision," Hancik said. "We have to find a way to have an effective system that's efficient and continues to move millions of people that we fly every day."|ret||ret||tab|

The director is matter-of-fact about the rigorous security measures. "If you choose to fly, then you're going to have to play by whatever rules are in place," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

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