Tight security little problem, JWA officials say

Paul Clinton

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT -- This week’s federally ordered tightening of

security at the nation’s airports was welcomed by officials Wednesday,

who said the airport is secure.

The “zero-tolerance” policy announced by Transportation Secretary

Norman Mineta on Tuesday could result in delays to airplane boarding,

halted flights or even a clearing of the terminal if breaches are found

in the screening process.

“That would disrupt our service,” airport spokeswoman Ann McCarley

said. “We don’t want that to happen. But if that’s what it takes to

ensure the safety of our passengers, we would comply with” the Federal

Aviation Administration.

Two days after the Sept. 11 attacks, John Wayne became the first

airport in the state to reopen for business. The airport quickly received

clearance from the FAA to open its doors after implementing a range of

new security measures.

McCarley said airport managers view the facility as secure.

More than 800 FAA agents have fanned out across the nation’s airports

to oversee the screening process and take necessary steps to ensure they

are secure, said Jerry Snyder, the spokesman of the FAA’s Western Region

office.

“Basically, we will take necessary action to clear terminals if a

breach of security is identified,” Snyder said. “We will take drastic

steps, including stopping screening and halting flights, if we find

security is not being performed correctly.”

Snyder would not discuss the status of the security measures at John

Wayne, but McCarley said no violations have occurred.

In the latest move to tighten up the facility, the airport shifted

from unarmed guards to sheriff’s deputies to search the trunks of

vehicles entering the airport.

McCarley would not reveal other measures now in place.

“The FAA gave us new guidelines, and we implemented them as smoothly

as we could,” McCarley said. “We have implemented even more stricter

measures that we can’t get in to.”