SOUTHLAND TRAVELERS RESIGNED TO RISK.

Byline: Jeanne Mariani-Belding Daily News Staff Writer

As the news of the tragic explosion of Trans World Airlines Flight 800 dominated newspaper headlines and television news broadcasts, travelers at Los Angeles International and Burbank airports Thursday remained confident about their safety.

``If your number is up, then your number is up,'' said Nancy Smet, 36, of Northridge, as she checked in her baggage at the TWA counter on her way to Atlanta for the Olympics.

``You take a chance just crossing the street,'' Smet said. ``I've heard so many different things about what happened at this point. I fly with TWA quite often, and I've always had great experiences.''

TWA agent Linda Huthmaker diligently queried Smet about her luggage, asking if she packed her own bags, and for a picture identification.

``It's our standard security procedure - nothing different,'' Huthmaker said.

Officials said it was business as usual at LAX and Burbank Airport.

At LAX - the third-busiest airport in the nation, and the fifth-busiest airport in the world - no additional security measures were enacted because of the explosion.

``Security has already been high since July or August of last year in response to the Unabomber incident,'' said Tom Winfrey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Airports, which operates LAX and the Ontario, Palmdale and Van Nuys airports.

``It's the FAA who makes the rules for all of us, and they determine the level of security. So far we have not been told to make any changes,'' Winfrey said late Thursday.

That surprised Allison Bellisario, who was on her way to Paris.

``I thought there would definitely be more security out here,'' said Bellisario, as she prepared to board her Air France flight Thursday afternoon.

``I'm not worried though,'' said Bellisario, 42, of San Diego. ``You have a better chance of getting killed in a car wreck. . . . The TWA flight came through Greece, and my flight's originating from L.A., and I still think it's much safer here.''

At Burbank Airport, travelers like Robert Giacobbe of Northridge said they were not nervous about flying.

``Things happen. More people die in cars every day than in a plane crash,'' said Giacobbe, who was on his way to Las Vegas.

Todd Metters, also leaving for Las Vegas, said there's little one can do about tragedies like this one.

``I think it's an isolated incident. You just have to live with what happens in this world,'' said the 27-year-old Valencia resident.

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PHOTO Nancy Smet of Northridge gets information from TWA'sLinda Huthmaker at LAX.

Terri Thuente/Daily News