U.S. Airport Insecurity

Re “The Global Economy Is Teetering,” Commentary, Nov. 6: Did it ever occur to Robert Scheer that President Bush and the Republican House leadership oppose the federalization of airport security for good reasons and not merely due to the influence of lobbyists? Everyone looks to Israel as having set the standard for airport security. The Israelis use private security, under federal supervision, just as Bush has recommended. Scheer seems to think that the use of federal employees is the answer to our airport security problems. Has he failed to notice that the very people who allowed the hijackers into our country with expired visas were federal employees?

Rhoda S. McComb

La Canada

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I am getting sick and tired of hearing about legislation--even that of the most strategic importance--being defeated or eviscerated by large campaign contributors and their lobbyists. Polls show that most of us would feel safer if people who work for the federal government provided airport security and if all land mines were banned. I’m sure we’d also agree to strengthen the biological weapons treaties to allow for universal, unannounced inspections of all potential manufacturing plants. But these measures, and many more, are either being taken off the docket or watered down to appease the lobbyists.

Are we or are we not a democracy? Is there anything left of “one person, one vote”? From now on, I’m voting only for politicians who can prove they listen to the people and vote their conscience.

Jack Cooper

Van Nuys

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Re “A Gap in Aviation Security,” Nov. 5: The airline companies are missing the point in advertising reduced fares to try to bring back their customers. We are more interested in increased security measures by the airlines, and we don’t see that happening. Their only concern seems to be the costs involved in enhancing security. Their argument that luggage screening is not cost-effective because the threat is so small just doesn’t hold water. In light of the events of Sept. 11, the threat seems very real indeed--especially when you consider David Satter’s Nov. 5 commentary (“Nuke-Toting Gangs in Russia Pose a Threat to the West”) regarding the possibility of Osama bin Laden having obtained “suitcase” nuclear weapons. Do we need another--and far worse--Sept. 11 to realize how serious these threats are?

Jay Helfert

Venice

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Thank you for your excellent article. As to proof of its need, one need only note the man carrying seven knives and a stun gun who made it through the security checkpoint at O’Hare International Airport (Nov. 5). Hello, Congress, are you listening? Pass the Senate version with all federal employees--and pass it now!

Bonnie Compton Hanson

Santa Ana

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As a regular traveler by air, I strongly resent your lay-it-all-out expose of the deficiencies in airline baggage-screening procedures.

Was it really necessary to give all this detail? Your article amounts to a “how-to” manual for terrorists intent on evading the system and blowing up airplanes.

Peter Samuelson

Los Angeles

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In late October, my husband and I visited his family in Holland. When arriving at the terminal at LAX, at the requested three hours prior to boarding, there was a bomb scare that closed the airport for 45 minutes. When we were allowed into the airport, we entered the terminal and immediately went to the ticketing desk, checked our luggage and received our boarding passes. We then proceeded through the scanning check, which processed people very quickly, with very minimal alarms set off, and finally to the boarding area, where we waited for two-plus hours to board. To me, this did not represent any new or different experiences departing from LAX than I had prior to Sept. 11.

On the contrary, when departing from Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam to return to the U.S., we arrived at the airport 2 1/2 hours prior to takeoff, as requested. Before we could check our luggage and acquire boarding passes we had to have our check-in luggage thoroughly examined by their national guardsmen--all contents removed and then replaced. Following check-in, we then proceeded through their scanning check. The activity at this scanning area was very concentrated and intense, with alarms going off and a fair amount of questioning. After very limited duty-free shopping, we arrived at the boarding area, where we had to have our carry-on luggage opened, contents removed and replaced, before boarding. The boarding light was on and we immediately boarded our plane.

Upon returning to LAX, we were through customs and waiting for our shuttle in a half-hour. While waiting, there were several bomb squad cars racing past us with sirens blaring. At which airport do you think we felt more secure?

Lee Karstens

Lake Arrowhead