LAX Steps Up Security

Passengers can expect some boarding delays at Los Angeles International Airport for a while as security is increased to preclude possible terrorist reprisals for Thursday’s U.S. attacks on facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan.

“We are tightening some security measures, but because they are security measures we won’t go into detail about them,” said Nancy Castles, a spokeswoman for the airport.

“However, people will see more uniformed personnel patrolling the terminals and the rest of the airport,” Castles said. “And because passenger screening will be even more stringent than usual, people should expect some delays.”

Passengers should be prepared to unwrap packages and turn on electronic equipment such as laptop computers, cellular phones, pagers and tape recorders upon request.

If they are carrying anything that might be mistaken for a gun, passengers should alert security personnel before they pass through metal detectors or their baggage is X-rayed.

In addition, she said, partitions are being installed to prevent passengers from removing their carry-on luggage until it has reached the end of the X-ray scanners’ conveyor belts. This will give guards more time to stop passengers whose luggage contains suspicious items, she said.