-Caveat Lector- http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/1221search21.html
Fliers facing new baggage search rules By Judy Nichols The Arizona Republic Dec. 21, 2002 New airport rules that allow searches of your luggage away from your supervision are raising questions about theft, damage and notification. Will searchers put something into your bag? Will they take something out? If they break your luggage locks, who pays? If your camera's missing, what happens? Passengers traveling today from Phoenix won't face the additional scrutiny at Sky Harbor International Airport, which is still installing video cameras and screening employees to meet the Dec. 31 deadline. But some airports have implemented the new system, and here's how it works: Bags are screened electronically. If they set off an alarm, they are searched by hand. In Phoenix, as elsewhere, "we will resolve every alarm," said Suzanne Luber, local spokeswoman for the federal Transportation Security Administration. Plastic locks provided Nationally, officials expect about 35 percent of bags will set off false alarms, triggering hand searches. Explosives-sniffing dogs will supplement the electronic screening in Phoenix until additional equipment arrives. If you locked your bag and it sets off the alarm, workers will break the lock to search it. You won't be reimbursed. If your bag sets off the alarm and you have used a free plastic lock provided by Sky Harbor, which should be available within a few days, workers will cut it off and search your bag. They will leave a flier inside that explains the search and gives you a toll-free number (1-866-289-9673) to call with questions or complaints. Then searchers will shut the bag and put another plastic lock on it, probably a different color, so you will know it has been opened. If you notice anything missing, call the toll-free number. The locks can be opened using scissors. "We will deal with each case individually," Luber said. If your bag won't shut because the lock has been broken, employees will try to tape it shut so nothing falls out, or put it into a plastic bag to make sure none of your belongings are lost, Luber said. The 26,000 bag screeners nationally have gone through three background checks and will be monitored with video cameras, Luber said. "This protects the employees from false accusations and protects the customers, too," Luber said. Leave the food at home Obviously, the best thing is to avoid accidentally setting off the alarm. Some tips: � Spread out books or hard items, rather than stacking them. � Pack shoes on top. � Put personal items like toothbrushes in resealable plastic bags so workers don't have to touch them. � Avoid packing food; items such as peanut butter, jelly and chocolate bars have the same density as plastic explosives. � If you've packed the sharp items taken out of your carry-on, put them into a plastic bag on top of your other items so searchers don't accidentally poke themselves. � Check in early. Some airlines will not guarantee that your bag will make the plane if you've checked in less than 45 minutes before the flight, Luber said. Despite the additional searches, Luber said, the security agency's goal is to avoid additional delays. "We still have a goal of 10 minutes for passengers to get through security," she said. "We don't have a set goal for bags." News on azcentral.com � Breaking News � World/Nation Email newsletters Sign up to receive breaking news alerts, delivered to your inbox free whenever big news happens. Republic Front Page | Local | Sports Arizona Living | Business | Opinions Subscribe to The Republic Terms of Service Help Center | About us Copyright 2002, The Arizona Republic. All rights reserved <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
