After passing through security again in Chicago’s O’Hare airport, Professor Andrew Potts raced down the terminal, desperate to catch the last connecting flight into Portland that began boarding several minutes earlier. He arrived in time to learn the plane had just closed its doors.
Then his trouble began.
With no customer service stand in the secure area of the airport, he had to leave to find an attendant to help him. The United Airlines service stand was filled with other passengers that missed their flights. After an hour wait in line, the accounting professor was told there were no available hotel rooms in the area and no flights to Portland until the next morning – 12 hours away.
He spent a few hours in the terminal before he and other passengers were told where they could get a standard issue airline pillow and paper-thin blanket instead of, food or hotel vouchers.
Potts passed through a security checkpoint for the third time that day, with pillow and blanket in hand and walked to the gate where his rescheduled flight to Portland would leave the next day.
He tried to pass the next eight hours, in a room with 30 other people, by sleeping on the cushionless airport chairs and the floor.
Unable to fall into a deep sleep, Potts was forced watch the more adaptable passengers sleeping peacefully until his plane home arrived.
With Thanksgiving break approaching, some students are left wondering if they will have experiences similar to Professor Potts because of increased security measures following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Airports nationwide have taken preventative steps against further terrorist attacks. Portland International Jetport also implemented new procedures for anyone passing through the airport terminal, creating time-consuming security checks.
“Most people accept the fact that this [the new security measures] is for their own protection,” commented Jeff Schultes, manager of Portland International Jetport.
Among these changes is an increased police presence that begins when, the jetport terminal first comes into view of drivers.
Driving in
When entering the Portland jetport, there are approximately four police officers patrolling the entryway to the terminal and parking garage.
When cars pull into the lane leading to the garage an officer inspects the trunks of every car. After the inspection, the cars are motioned forward into the garage by the officer and begin the process of seeking out a parking spot.
The Portland jetport has closed half of the garage near the terminal as a safety precaution. Two parking lots away from the terminal are open and not subject to police inspection when entering.
Walking in
In addition to the changes outside, the interior of the terminal has changed since the attacks. For people that have traveled through the Portland jetport before the new security measures the changes are instantly noticeable.
Inside, the lines of people waiting at baggage check-in, where the bags are randomly selected for searches, are shorter than they were prior to Sept. 11. This is because the number of people flying and the number of airplanes leaving have decreased.
After their luggage is seen to, passengers move to the high security area, beginning at the metal detectors. Only ticket holders are allowed to pass beyond the detectors.
Portland International jetport has placed a black cover over the lower half of the glass wall at the metal detectors preventing any observation of the security procedures. A police officer and two national guardsmen monitor the people entering the metal detectors. The national guardsmen have prohibited photographs of the security checkpoint.
Upon entering, the passengers present their boarding pass and photographic identification, which people can be asked to present, after passing through security. People have been restricted to one carry one bag and one personal item, such as a purse, laptop or briefcase. These items are subject to scanning for weapons and random searches by the security guards.
The procedure for boarding the planes has been altered slightly. The stewardess collects tickets at the gate, tearing the ticket at the crease and returning the stub with seating information to the passenger, as before. At the plane door, a second stewardess checks the passengers’ ticket stubs prior to their boarding.
With the new security procedures, airports are recommending that passengers of domestic flight arrive two hours before their flight time and three hours before international flights.
Professor Potts offers students and faculty advise for flying with the new security measures.
“When making a connection make sure there is a two to three hour time difference between flights.”
Boston’s Logan Airport of has implemented security procedures similar to those a Portland International Jetport. Logan is admittedly one the five most delayed airports in the country. Logan airport officials have also noticed a decrease in passenger volume and a decline in the number of flights.
Because of new developments, airport security is changing almost daily.
There are also bills pending in Congress that may change airport security.
Staff Writer Jennifer Thomas can be contacted at: [email protected]