Air passengers during the busy holiday travel season likely noticed longer lines and additional security, and government officials say travelers should expect continued additional screening measures for the time being.
Extra security measures were prompted by a Dec. 25 incident where a passenger on a Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam was subdued after trying to set off what Transportation Safety Administration officials are calling an explosive device.
That incident has led the TSA to increase security screening measures, mostly for international flights entering the U.S. But TSA spokeswoman Andrea McCauley said passengers at all U.S. airports will likely experience longer wait times.
"Passengers won't notice that a different process is in place. What they'll notice is heightened security," McCauley said. "They may see more canines, more bag checks, have an additional pat-down, but for the most part we're just asking that ... people get to the airport a little farther in advance of their flight."
While the security changes don't mean new travel rules for passengers, travelers could soon experience a new security system at TSA checkpoints.
The administration has purchased 150 full-body scanning systems, which use radio waves to see items hidden under passengers' clothing. National media outlets have discussed the increased potential for these systems since the Christmas incident, but TSA has actually been testing the scanners for more than a year.
Gary Cyr, director of aviation for Springfield-Branson National Airport, said he doesn't know if the scanners will be in Springfield in the near future.
"All of that would be through TSA. They handle all the screening of passengers and baggage - that's their baby," Cyr said. "We're responsible for the security and integrity of access to other areas of the airport, but they're in charge of screening of passengers and baggage."
McCauley said TSA has not yet determined which airports will get the recently purchased scanner systems, and while she wouldn't say how those airports would be determined, she said the decision is not based on passenger traffic.
"We've deployed that technology at airports of all different sizes - it's not contingent on a certain (number of passengers)," she said. "We've tested the technology in a variety of different environments."
She did say that installation of the new systems would likely happen in the first quarter of this year.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
