Arriving to a new JWA

Paul Clinton

The experience of traveling through John Wayne Airport can be summed

up very quickly. Before and after.

Before terrorists hijacked and crashed four planes -- two into the

World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and a third in Pennsylvania --

travelers could check in bag with sky caps at curbside and travel with an

E-ticket (electronic ticket) to the destination of their choice.

Afterward, they could not.

Before that fateful day, Sept. 11, a friend could drive another to the

airport without even thinking about Orange County Sheriff’s deputies

searching the car. Now, these searches have been added into the routine.

Before and after.

The Federal Aviation Administration has begun to rewrite the rules for

airport security all across the nation. At John Wayne, which averages 250

flights a day, the new measures were implemented even before orders came

from the FAA. The quick action paid off, as John Wayne became the first

airport in California to reopen for business on Sept. 20.

“We’ve implemented everything we can think of,” Airport Director Alan

Murphy said, “but we haven’t stopped thinking.”

Airport brass won’t discuss the details of the airport’s new security

plan. But the changes are visible to anyone venturing into the Eddie

Martin Terminal.

Unlike Los Angeles International Airport, where travelers have to use

public transportation, shuttles or taxis to get anywhere near the

terminal, private vehicles are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers

at John Wayne.

But that privilege comes with a price, as cars will be searched by

airport officers.

The sky caps will still stand curbside, ready to help with bags.

However, checking them in at the curb is not an option.

“I’ll help them take it to the counter,” skycap Art Hernandez said.

The prohibition of curbside check-in has made itself felt, creating

long lines at the ticket counters during peak travel hours, usually the

morning and late afternoon.

Murphy said that passengers should plan to arrive two hours early to

accommodate the new standards.

Among the inconveniences at the terminal, travelers will be asked to

open luggage and carry-on baggage for a search. People will be picked at

random once they step into the terminal.

Stephan Baxter let security officers go through his belongings Sept.

14, as he prepared to board a flight to Newark, New Jersey to attend a

friend’s wedding.

The Fullerton resident said he didn’t mind the delay, pointing out

that he arrived almost five hours before his flight was scheduled for

departure.

“I thought it would be a lot worse than it is,” Baxter said. “I’m

pleasantly surprised.”

Even the process of going through the airport metal detector has

changed. Now travelers have to have a ticket before entering the boarding

area. And there won’t be any more gateside check-in. Instead, all must go

to the counter.

While going through the screening area, some may face a random

pat-down search. Everyone will have to empty their pockets into a tray

that will be passed through the X-ray machine -- cell phone, pager, keys

and all.

Remember those trays that could be handed to the security person? A

thing of the past.

“The days of running straight through to the gate are over,” United

Airlines spokeswoman Liz Maegher said.

And forget about bringing a Swiss army knife or that corkscrew. The

FAA has banned all knives and cutting instruments.

Keep a driver’s license or identification card handy. Passengers will

probably be asked to show ID several times before getting on board an

aircraft.

“We’re hoping our customers will show some patience,” Murphy said of

the changes. “It will be an additional hassle, but it’s really in their

best interest.”

More than 7.72 million people used John Wayne Airport last year.

Prior to boarding, planes will be searched for any suspicious devices

or weapons. More on-board precautions are in the wings.In the near

future, armed federal air marshals may join travelers on their flights.

Already, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies have increased K-9 patrols

of the terminal and airfield.

“One of the valuable tools of using a K-9 unit is the sense of

security the public gets,” said Lt. Patrick Lee, the chief of police

services at the airport. “It is very assuring and relaxing to the

passengers.”

As part of the national overhaul of airport security, the rules are

expected to change for the screeners and security firms charged with

manning the metal detectors.

The Air Transport Assoc., an airline trade group, is pushing for

changes. Workers are currently employed by firms hired by the airlines,

not the airport.

The FAA is in the midst of considering nationalizing the process,

putting training of airport security under stricter scrutiny.

“The people who work for the screening companies are held to minimum

standards,” FAA spokesman Jerry Snyder said. “These are real, honest

changes.”

Just like much of American life today, getting on a plane will

probably never be the same.

-- Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

[email protected] .