Port Commission Approves Purchase of Airport Security Equipment

X-rays, metal detectors will be used to expand checkpoints

(Seattle)-The Port of Seattle Commission today approved the purchase of nearly a million dollars worth of equipment that will be used to expand security checkpoints at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

"We want to have an airport that is both secure, and customer-friendly," said Port of Seattle Commission Chair Bob Edwards. "This equipment will go a long way toward meeting both of those goals."

Airport workers have already begun expanding the airport's busiest checkpoint, at the entrance to the C and D concourses. That work is expected to be done by June 1, in time for the busy summer travel season. The equipment authorized for purchase today will be used at that checkpoint, and others.

The Port of Seattle will initially pay for the equipment, and seek federal reimbursement at a later time.

"We're going to do the right thing right now," said Edwards. "People need to be able to get through our airport in a timely way, without compromising security."

The $950,000 expenditure will fund purchase of the following equipment:

8 Rapiscan x-ray machines, of the type used at concourse checkpoints.
20 Ceia brand walk-through metal
7 Iontrack brand explosive detectors. These are used at concourse checkpoints to check carry-on bags for explosives.

Although first efforts are being made at the C/D checkpoint, the Port plans to double the screening capacity of all airport checkpoints before 2004. The goal is to reduce the time that passengers spend waiting in line to be screened.