Airport Security Must Guard Against Theft

Re “Airports in Scramble to Add Security,” Sept. 9: In looking at the sketches of the proposed construction, it seems that the area that concerned me most on a recent and first flight since Sept. 11 is not being changed.

My concern was with putting my carry-on (one shoulder tote) through the scanner with all of my documentation, including tickets, billfold, digital camera, etc., then having to step to one side to be wanded, while my tote sat at the end of the scanner--where anyone could have picked it up and walked back out of the area.

I am sure that most travelers are like me: concerned because we set off the alarm, and fully involved in allowing the security person to find what set off that alarm. It was only when I saw my tote being crushed by other bags going through the scanner that it occurred to me how lucky I was that it was still there. Have there been any problems of this nature?

Alan Webbe

Studio City