Smart Travel: India proves tight, efficient airport security possible

The press has reported horror stories about domestic airport security. Long lines, rudeness and ineptness of security personnel and inadequate equipment have been among the complaints from passengers across the country.

We can and will learn to do this better with time and experience. To support this proposal we will describe airport security we experienced recently in Bombay, India, a country that has had strict air security for several years because of terrorist activities in their country.

When we arrived at the airport, we were screened for airline tickets before we entered the front door. Our luggage to be checked was sent directly to X-ray machines. We stood by momentarily in case they should detect something in the bags that needed explanation or examination.

At the ticket desk our documents, passport and visa were checked and we proceeded to the gate area. At the concourse entrance, where only passengers with tickets and passports were admitted, were metal detectors and carry-on luggage X-rays. Beyond this equipment, a team of security personnel hand inspected all carry-on items, then we were divided into men and women, sent behind screens and individually checked with hand pat-downs and electronic wands. This was done quickly, expertly and courteously by the friendly staff.

We were screened again by metal detectors before entering the boarding area. When boarding was called we proceeded to the plane, but between the door to the tarmac and the plane itself were two long tables with about 12 attendants behind each and all of our hand luggage was again quickly and expertly searched. By the time we were settled in our seats, we had been screened in some manner six separate times.

Bombay is a large and busy airport so we had expected delays, but the speed, courtesy and expertise of the security staff amazed us and it actually took only a few moments at each point in the system.

We later concluded that their efficiency came with time and experience of the staff and the ability of the airport to train these people.

As our airports have time to properly train security personnel, and as these people gain skill and efficiency by experience, our airport security will gradually improve and the long lines and sometimes-crabby security staff will function like the security teams we experienced in Bombay.

If they can do it, surely we can do it, too.

(Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency formed by the merger of Ozark World Travel, Consulting Travel and Thomas Travel.)