DIA to deploy liquids scanner
Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Security screeners at Denver International Airport have an arsenal of equipment at their disposal, including metal detectors, X-ray machines and walk- through "puffers" that detect explosives residue.
Soon, they'll also have some help from Fido in guarding the nation's skies.
On Saturday, the Transportation Security Administration will deploy hand-held Fido PaxPoint scanners at DIA. The devices can detect liquid explosives in sealed bottles.
The devices primarily will be used to test liquids that passengers are allowed to bring through security in containers larger than three ounces, such as breast milk and certain medications.
The Fido scanners, developed by a company called ICx Technologies, work by analyzing the vapors around bottles to detect traces of explosives.
The process takes just a few seconds, and the bottles are not opened.
"This is an additional layer of security to detect explosives," said Bill Allen, TSA's acting federal security director in Denver. "They are low cost, easy to use and very fast."
It's the latest move by TSA to address a threat that took on new urgency last August when authorities in the United Kingdom uncovered a plot to blow up U.S.-bound airplanes using liquid explosives.
TSA banned liquids, aerosols and gels from being carried through security unless they're in separate containers - up to 3 ounces each - and sealed in a baggie.
The agency plans to roll out a total of 200 Fidos this year at the nation's busiest airports. The devices, which cost from $20,000 to $25,000 on average, already are in use in some airports.
TSA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon would not disclose how many of the devices will be deployed in Denver.
Robert Poole, director of transportation studies at the Reason Foundation, said TSA is on the right path to addressing the threat of liquid explosives.
"It's probably a good idea that (TSA) is at least trying this out," Poole said, adding that he hasn't researched the new devices in- depth.
Some experts say the new devices also have a side benefit, as they allow TSA agents to interact with passengers.
"Part of what they're doing is engaging travelers," said Sandy Zirulnik, senior managing director of SafirRosetti, a unit of risk-assessment firm GlobalOptions Group. "They're making eye contact with them and looking for irrational behavior."
What is it?
The Fido PaxPoint is a hand-held, portable scanner that can detect liquid explosives in sealed bottles. The device "sniffs" - and then analyzes - the vapors around the bottle. TSA will use the devices primarily to test liquids, such as breast milk and medication, that are allowed to be carried aboard planes in containers larger than 3 ounces.
Security checkpoint changes in effect Saturday
• TSA agents at DIA begin using hand-held liquid-explosive scanners.
• The ban on cigarette lighters is lifted, meaning passengers can once again bring them in carry-on bags.
• Passengers with or without children can bring aboard breast milk in containers larger than 3 ounces, as long as it is declared at a checkpoint.
• Passengers have to remove DVD players and video game consoles (though not the hand-held versions) from their carry-on bags and place them in bins for the X-ray machine.Source: Tsa
walshc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2744
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