Tougher security for domestic passengers

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Airlines are getting tough on domestic passengers caught with blades or other potentially dangerous items, after almost 1200 were intercepted in seven days at Auckland Airport.

The objects were removed from the hand baggage of passengers joining flights through domestic security screens erected since the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Most of the items were packed up and returned to their owners at journey's end.

But this is taking too much time out of airline schedules, so notices will be posted at check-in counters warning passengers to pack such items in their hold luggage or face losing them permanently.

The Aviation Security Service's Auckland manager, Don Alexander, said last night that a blanket edict issued internationally left security officials with no choice other than to confiscate even the smallest of blades, including scissors.

Before the terrorist attacks, security officials had tended to allow passengers to carry small blades in their hand baggage "unless they looked like desperadoes".

That had all changed since terrorists used small box-cutting knives in hijacking four US airliners a fortnight ago.

Mr Alexander said his staff, bolstered by troops on loan from the Defence Force, had intercepted 1197 banned items in the seven days to this Wednesday.

Most were blades, but the haul also included trades tools and a pair of handcuffs.

Air New Zealand is among airlines which have been forced to replace stainless steel cutlery with plastic knives and forks on flights to and from the US.

More security measures are likely to follow an International Civil Aviation Organisation conference in Montreal today. It will be attended by officials from throughout the world, including New Zealand and the US.

Measures being considered by the US Federal Aviation Authority include a total ban on carry-on baggage and on letting passengers make early seating requests.

US President George W. Bush is also due today to announce safety proposals expected to include stronger cockpit doors and more armed, plainclothes federal agents on commercial jets.

In New Zealand, the Government has added $3.2 million to the Aviation Security Service's budget to screen domestic air traffic between now and December 15, and has asked for a review to recommend whether this should become permanent.

The service is already recruiting up to 25 more staff, including 15 in Auckland, and is expected from late today to start screening passengers joining flights at Rotorua.

Screening already takes place at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Aviation officials were reluctant yesterday to respond to a call from the Sporting Shooters Association for New Zealand pilots to carry guns if the FAA allowed their US colleagues to be armed.

"If you trust a pilot with a $US50 million aircraft and 300 passengers' lives, why wouldn't you trust him with a gun to protect those lives?" said association vice-president Lech Beltowski.

Dr Beltowski, an Auckland GP, noted that pilots and even cabin crew of Israel's El Al airline had long been armed and that none of its planes had been hijacked in 33 years.

Airline Pilots Association president Keith Molloy was cautious, saying guns could end up being turned against his members.

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