Complain loudly about bad airport security YM CONCERNED — in fact, scared to death — about airport security. Some of the lapses I’ve noticed at certain airports are alarming. Here’s an example: I arrived .in Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport last fall, but my baggage didn’t. I searched the baggage area thoroughly and then left the area to confirm my ticket for my ongo- ing flight and to get some assistance in tracing my bag. REED Ses travel wise Barbara McCreadie After about an hour, I returned to the place where my bag should have been off-loaded and, hallelu- jah, there it was. TF was allowed free access to the area. If I could wander in and out, who coulda’t? The stacks of unclaimed baggage were unguard- ed. Airline pcelicy is to forward lost bags on the first available flight td the owner’s destination. It doesn’t take a degree in science to figure out the potential for random terrorism. Anyone could ‘‘lose’’ a bag and leave. I could very easily have dumped an appropriately ticketed bag on my return to the baggage area — nobody suspects someone carrying a suitcase in an airport. ett Here’s another one: Last Sydney, Ai December | was waiting in the cocktail lounge in the departure area of Los Angeles airport. I was with a group of friends waiting for aP.S.A. flight to Las Vegas. We had just come through 2 “‘security’’ checkpoint where our hand baggage was supposedly scanned. The two female security guards were chatting to each other and didn’t even look at the scanner. It was so noticeably lax that we chat- ted about it while we waited. Suddenly, the football game on the lounge television was inter- rupted with the news that a P.S.A. plane had just gone down near San Francisco. It had departed from the same terminal a short time before. it is quite likely thet the gunman who shot the pilots had gone through the same “‘security”’ check that we had. Alarming? I think so. aaht The traveiling public often stipes about being held up by se- curky checks. If trained dogs are seen scrabbling over scomeone’s precious Gucci bag, the airline hears about it. You will be pleased to hear that Canada Customs at Vancouver airport does have dogs that check the bags — but they do it behind the scenes so as not to offend. I love the approach used in ustralia. The passengers are asked to claim their bags and set them on a low counter. Up jumps Bowser, nose twitching, who walks over the bags. But, for real scrabbling, the air- port in Genoa, Italy, takes the dog biscuit. There, the bags are tumbl- ed into a heap while ‘‘Bowserio’’ skids and slides ali over them. Realistically, complete security is impossible. All hand baggage would have to be banned. Checked baggage and cargo would have to be carried on a plane separate from passengers. Even then, unless the passengers were strip-searched, X-rayed and issued disposable paper cioths for the duration of the flight, slip-ups could occur. One friend of mine suggested a week’s pre-flight incarceration for So, we are at the mercy of the airport. Some, obviously, do a better job for us than others. As for complaints, Iet’s make them loud when we see lapses in security checks. KENYA SPECTACULAR SAFARIS 26 day tuxury safari - all inclusive Booking pow for August 1, 1989 September 12, * 989 departures $4,995 SUMMER SPECIALS Deluxe Camping Safaris July 18, 1989 departure $3,995°° Call Barbara Sutherland row at: tLslsure Connection Tours 21 - Sunday, January 8, 1989 - North Shore News GET AWAY WEEKEND On tranquil Rathtrevor Bay, just south of Parksville on the Island Highway, Madrona Beach Resort offers everything from long walks on the beach watching the eagles soar, to quiet evenings by the fire. 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