Security tight, travel expected to be light on anniversary of attacks By The Associated Press Security workers at airports and train stations and along waterways were warned to be extra alert on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, a day when fear and the weak economy were expected to keep travel light. Newly hired federal security directors told passenger screeners, police and others to be vigilant, and the Bush administration raised the nationwide terror alert to its second-highest level. This is all being done out of an abundance of caution," said Transportation Department spokesman Leonardo Alcivar. "There's no specific threat within the United States." The Coast Guard increased patrols and inspections and Amtrak, the national passenger railroad, said additional police officers were on patrol. Late summer is normally one of the travel industry's less-busy periods. But David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association, said some people decided not to fly on Sept. 11 because they feared a terrorist attack or wanted to avoid security hassles. "Some people just felt it was a bad time to be traveling, because it should be a day of remembrance," he said. Airlines cut their domestic flight schedules by 13% for Wednesday compared with the previous Wednesday, according to OAG Worldwide, a company that provides flight information. Spirit Airlines of Miramar, Fla., made sure its flights would be full Wednesday by giving away 13,400 tickets as a promotion. All federal air marshals were either on flights or getting on flights, said Robert Johnson, Transportation Security Administration spokesman. The federal air marshal program, which had 33 marshals active on Sept. 11, has expanded significantly since then, but transportation officials won't say how much. Airport workers were told to be alert and to look out for anything unusual, Johnson said. All airports have been notified of the heightened alert, but won't tell the public what security precautions are being taken, he said. Since last year, the Transportation Security Administration has hired 158 federal security directors for commercial airports. Some are responsible for more than one airport, and all airports have been notified of the heightened alert, Johnson said. Alcivar said federal highway and transit officials are urging state and local transit agencies to increase law enforcement visibility when appropriate. Amtrak will put additional police officers in train stations and on platforms, spokeswoman Karina Van Veen said. She said other enhanced security measures will not be disclosed to the public. People are only avoiding travel on the anniversary itself, shifting their plans to other days this week, said Terri Shank, spokeswoman for Orbitz, the Chicago-based travel Web site. Only 9% of this week's air travel booked on Orbitz will take place on Wednesday, she said. Wednesdays usually account for 12% of a week's air travel. The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (Trini Tuner http://www.trinituner.com/ (TriniTuner.com) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************