Fri, Apr 01, 2011
TSA Will Man The Main Gates With Scanners, Enhanced
Pat-Downs
ANN April 1st Special Edition:
TSA said Friday it would be setting up shop at the main gates at
Oshkosh with full-body scanners and latex-gloved TSOs to assure
security at what becomes the world's busiest airport for the week
of AirVenture. TSA Administrator John Pistole said that the
location would be used as a training ground for new TSOs.
"This is a win-win for the agency," Pistole said. "First, with
all those airplanes, some of them huge airliners and military
aircraft, we have to be sure to protect the public from any
terrorist attack. Can you imagine if a terrorist cell were to gain
access to a B-17, load it up with bombs and head to Washington, DC?
It could be mayhem. But secondly, you've got all those people there
who REALLY want to get into the show. What better place to train
new TSOs in customer relations and dealing with the public."
Pistole said the agency would be using new, portable scanners at
the show. The devices are the latest in backscatter scanning
technology designed for use in airport gate areas.
EAA president Rod Hightower said he was not happy about the
development, but did not think there was a lot the organization
could do about it. "We're a federally-funded airport, so we pretty
much have to comply with the federal government's whims ... er ...
rules. But I think that you'll see people getting to the front of
the line with pitchforks and torches after they've stood for hours
just waiting to get in. We're hoping to have enough people through
the gates by airshow time to make it worth while for the pilots to
fly. By the time TSA is done, people will probably be calling this
year's show 'BlushKosh'."
Those flying in to the show will not be spared. TSA says it will
set up a special corridor from the flight line parking area back to
the main gate to herd pilots and passengers through the system. TSA
will also take portable scanners through the rows of airplanes
parked in the North 40, and will randomly check those camping near
their airplanes.
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