FLY THE SAFER SKIES AIRPORTS RUSH TO MEET SECURITY DEADLINE.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

Airport officials are scrambling to fire up new machinery and finish training federal screeners across the nation as a Dec. 31 deadline approaches to screen all checked baggage for explosives.

At LAX and Burbank Airport, officials were wrapping up training on how to use the $44,000 explosive detection machines. The machines will be set up inside terminals, in lobbies, or outside along curbs. Some machines won't be visible for security reasons.

``It looks like we're ready to go, and we should be able to meet the deadline here at LAX,'' said Tom Winfrey, a spokesman for LAX. ``We have all the equipment. It looks like we're going to be fine.''

Burbank Airport is undergoing a $25 million renovation to its terminal to accommodate additional explosive detection machines and TSA personnel, said spokesman Victor Gill. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2004.

But despite the construction work, Gill said, Burbank Airport will meet the baggage inspection deadline with one EDT machine operating in Terminal B.

``Burbank has alternative measures in place to inspect the baggage,'' he said. ``We're pleased that we will be among those airports that doesn't have to be called out as an exception.''

Gill said Burbank will work hard to retain its quick-in, quick-out reputation, keeping delays to a minimum.

``The goal of TSA employees assigned to Burbank is to have as minimal possible delay,'' he said. ``We hope that that comes to pass, but any time you have a new element added to the procedure, the passengers will be well-advised to build a few extra minutes in.''

Transportation Safety Administration officials said they are confident that airports across the nation will meet the deadline, and reassured the flying public that delays will be minimum. Delays, however, are a small price to pay for added safety.

Under a federal law passed in Nov. 2001, the newly founded Transportation Safety Administration has until midnight New Year's Eve to put in place the screening devices that detect explosives traces, along with the federal screeners who will operate the equipment.

TSA was created to protect the nation's transportation systems in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

``We will be screening each of the bags at each of the 429 airports by 12-31,'' said Nico Melendez, a TSA spokesman. ``This is a very important milestone for the American aviation system. TSA is committed to ensuring first-class security and first-class customer service from the curb to the cockpit.''

Over 50,000 TSA screeners have been deployed to the nation's largest airports to meet the federal mandate.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Federal employees use an explosive detection system to inspect baggage at Burbank Airport on Thursday, part of a new federal mandate on airport security.

(2) Burbank Airport is undergoing a $25 million renovation to its terminal to accommodate explosive detection machines and federal security personnel.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer