New security restrictions at SEA

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Security has increased at Sea-Tac, just in time for holiday

By Seattle Times staff

Just in time for a long holiday weekend: more lines at the airport.

With yesterday's re-imposed national orange alert level, security has
increased at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and vehicle
checkpoints at the airport's north entrance will begin tomorrow
morning.

All vehicles heading toward ticketing or baggage claim will be
subject to inspection by Port of Seattle police. The ramps that allow
drivers to circle the parking garage and return to the baggage area
will be closed. Vehicles that leave the drives and want to return to
the terminal will have to go north to 170th Street and back through
the inspection station.

Those entering the airport from the south at 182nd Street and
International Boulevard will be rerouted to the security lanes of the
north entrance. Drivers can still enter the airport parking garage
without going through security.

The new security measures were imposed in March, at the beginning of
the Iraq war, and remained until the threat level was lowered in
April.

In addition to the security checkpoints, the Port has increased the
number of police and canine teams at the airport.

The security checks are expected to cause big backups at Sea-Tac this
weekend. Airport spokesman Bob Parker said he doesn't know how many
passengers may pass through the airport but said airlines are saying
it may be the heaviest travel weekend they've seen all year.

"At least we have a lot of experience with this," Parker said of the
security checkpoints.

Metro said it expected to make a decision tomorrow on whether to re-
route its buses away from the airport. During the earlier heightened
alert Metro provided shuttles to regularly scheduled buses outside
the terminal area, but later resumed regular airport service.

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Personal comment:  This will force the bad guys to now park in the
garage, about 5 lanes further out than if they could drive up to the
curb.  Big deal!!

Don
Fan of eliminating knee-jerks

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