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DIA tapped for tests on improving lines, security

By Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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TSA Administrator Kip Hawley, left, and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter pass through the security checkpoint at Denver International Airport on Monday.

Photo by Ken Papaleo / The Rocky

TSA Administrator Kip Hawley, left, and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter pass through the security checkpoint at Denver International Airport on Monday.

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Two upcoming pilot programs at Denver International Airport are part of the government's efforts to explore new ways to move travelers through checkpoints and enhance security.

The first program, which will begin Wednesday and run for two weeks, lets fliers choose different types of security lanes, based on how much assistance and time they need to get through the checkpoint.

The other one, which will run for 90 days starting in May, involves enhancing employee screening.

The Transportation Security Administration said the moves are part of about a dozen pilot programs it has or plans to implement this year at various airports nationwide.

"You never want to sit still; I think you always want to innovate," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley, who toured DIA Monday morning and later took questions from the media.

TSA has come under criticism in recent years from observers who say that airports are still vulnerable and from travelers who say that checkpoint procedures are too onerous and invasive.

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, who has criticized TSA over long wait times in Denver and other issues, said the two pilot programs are a step in the right direction.

"I do want to see innovation where possible to make sure that we have the maximum amount of security for our traveling public but at the same time have travel that isn't a terrible burden," he said. "We'll see over time how successful these different kinds of programs are."

To help speed up the checkpoint lines, TSA is looking for ways to make the process more efficient, without sacrificing security.

The agency chose Denver and Salt Lake City to test a program that will let passengers choose from among three lines at the security checkpoint: One for families and first-time travelers, one for those who are more familiar with the process, and one for frequent fliers who typically can speed through security.

The test is limited to three lanes on the north security checkpoint, and travelers can enter the line that best works for them.

"A family is probably more comfortable being with other family members," Hawley said. "And then what we've heard from business travelers is that you don't need to tell me to open my briefcase; you don't need to tell me to take my shoes off."

TSA also is looking beyond security issues involving fliers.

The organization approaches airport security by implementing numerous "layers" of policies and procedures that work together to deter terrorists and offset threats. One layer involves airport employees. TSA doesn't physically screen airport workers every day, as it does passengers.

Instead, it relies on measures such as background checks and random screening.

Some lawmakers are interested in the possibility of having airports screen all employees each day.

Congress recently passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act, requiring TSA to screen all employees at three airports and test alternative screening at four other airports, including DIA.

In Denver, which already has some of those measures in place, the program will involve boosting the number of random checks and beefing up training.

walshc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2744

About the programs

Denver International Airport is going to put in place two pilot programs as part of the government's effort to enhance security and examine new ways to get passengers through checkpoints:

* One program, which will start Wednesday and run for two weeks, lets fliers choose which security lane to take, based on how much time and assistance they need.

* The other, which will run for 90 days starting in May, involves enhancing employee screening.

Comments

  • February 19, 2008

    9:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMountainMasonryInstitute writes:

    I just put my 15-year-old son on a plane at DIA to go visit his father. The TSA screener harassed my son and took his backpack and emptied every single item out of it, went through his peanut butter cups and took his homework papers out of his text book. It took my son 10 minutes to clean up the mess and re-pack everything in his backpack. Why would a TSA employee find it necessary to harass a quiet, polite, American-born Anglo child? This doesn't match with this new family-friendly policy.

  • February 19, 2008

    11:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    joggle writes:

    RockyMountainMasonryInstitute: I've flown many times throughout my life and on at least two occasions my backpack was completely searched (years before TSA was formed). Each time they quickly looked through the bag and left it a mess, just sort of shoving stuff back in usually with stuff still hanging out. It seemed to happen more often when I brought snacks and electronics with lots of wires so if you want to avoid that in the future I recommend leaving them at home or in checked baggage.

  • February 19, 2008

    9:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NorthglennMom writes:

    I travel through DIA on a regular basis and I have a very hard time believing that TSA would INTENTIONALLY treat a passenger that way. Especially a child. However, I am not quite sure how TSA was to know that this boy was a "quiet, polite, American-born Anglo child"? Was he wearing a sign that identified him as such? Should he be treated better than a quiet, polite, American-born African-American child?