Fri, Jul 13, 2007
Passengers Won't Have To Carry Luggage To Screeners
Passengers will soon be able to
enjoy quicker and more convenient check-in procedures at Pittsburgh
International Airport. The Allegheny County Airport Authority has
launched an $18 million project to install new Explosive Detection
Systems (EDS) into the automated baggage system used by US
Airways.
This in-line screening system will be staffed by Transportation
Security Administration screeners and housed in a new 21,000 square
foot building located at the north end of the former E-gates
terminal, according to the airport.
The new equipment will make it easier for passengers traveling
on US Airways to have their checked luggage screened for
explosives. Once the system is in place, checked bags will move
directly from the ticket counter to the screening equipment and
then to the airplane.
Passengers currently have to check their luggage at the US
Airways ticket counter, and then carry it over to the TSA's
screening equipment at a different location. Once the new system is
completed, airline ticket agents will tag baggage and place it on
the belt behind the counter while passengers proceed freely to the
security checkpoint.
"This improvement is part of a comprehensive security upgrade
project at Pittsburgh International Airport. For that reason alone
this is an important step forward, but this is also a major
improvement to the passenger experience," said Kent G. George, ACAA
Executive Director.
"The enhanced baggage handling system automates the manual
process of screening all checked baggage for potential explosives,"
said ACAA Project Manager Paul Hoback. "The system links EDS
machines that check baggage for potential threats. The bags are
then safely transported to their respective outgoing planes."
A similar system was installed in 2005 on the south end of
ticketing for the other airlines at PIT.
The majority of the funding will come from the Airport
Authority, with $3 to $4 million coming from a TSA grant. The
system is expected to be operational in time for the Thanksgiving
2008 holiday travel season.
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