Shoe screening starts

Paul Clinton

John Wayne Airport security has begun checking passengers’ shoes after

a British man last week tried to ignite explosives in his sneakers on an

international flight headed to Florida.

The checks of randomly selected shoes began at 7 a.m. Monday morning

per a security directive issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

At that time, screeners began asking passengers passing through the

X-ray machines to remove their shoes. The footwear is then sent though

the machines to be scanned for any suspicious or dangerous substances.

“Obviously, whenever there is going to be an incident, you’re going to

have another FAA directive,” said airport Deputy Director Christie

McDaniel. “It makes people feel good that we’re taking them all

seriously.”

On Saturday, a man traveling under the name of Richard Reid boarded a

Paris-to-Miami flight carrying a British passport. After trying to use

matches to light explosives hidden in his shoe, he was subdued by other

passengers and the plane’s flight crew.

The man, who took the name Abdel Rahim in 1995 after converting to

Islam, has traveled to Pakistan and been linked to Zacarias Moussaoui,

the only man now charged with conspiring to plan the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks.

John Wayne Airport officials joined many of the nation’s other

airports in starting the extra exams. Wooden stools have been set up

inside the X-ray screening area for travelers to wait while their shoes

are sent through the machines.

Travelers had even begun showing up at the airport wearing beach

sandals, McDaniel said.

On Wednesday, passengers welcomed the new security measure, the latest

in a dizzying number of changes to the nation’s airports since the

terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

“I think it’s a good thing to check everything that’s possible to

check,” said Mike Biggs, who was heading to Seattle on business. “All we

can do is act and react” to potential terrorism.

John Ford, who lives in Redwood City, was in town visiting relatives

for the holidays. He was heading back to San Jose and said he also

appreciated the shoe checks.

“The more they can do, the more secure we’re going to feel,” Ford

said. “I appreciate that this is being done.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .