TSA Will Man The Main Gates With Scanners, Enhanced Pat-Downs

ANN April 1st Special Edition: TSA said Friday it would be setting up shop at the main gates at Oshkosh with full-body scanners and latex-gloved TSOs to assure security at what becomes the world's busiest airport for the week of AirVenture. TSA Administrator John Pistole said that the location would be used as a training ground for new TSOs.

"This is a win-win for the agency," Pistole said. "First, with all those airplanes, some of them huge airliners and military aircraft, we have to be sure to protect the public from any terrorist attack. Can you imagine if a terrorist cell were to gain access to a B-17, load it up with bombs and head to Washington, DC? It could be mayhem. But secondly, you've got all those people there who REALLY want to get into the show. What better place to train new TSOs in customer relations and dealing with the public."

Pistole said the agency would be using new, portable scanners at the show. The devices are the latest in backscatter scanning technology designed for use in airport gate areas.

EAA president Rod Hightower said he was not happy about the development, but did not think there was a lot the organization could do about it. "We're a federally-funded airport, so we pretty much have to comply with the federal government's whims ... er ... rules. But I think that you'll see people getting to the front of the line with pitchforks and torches after they've stood for hours just waiting to get in. We're hoping to have enough people through the gates by airshow time to make it worth while for the pilots to fly. By the time TSA is done, people will probably be calling this year's show 'BlushKosh'."

Those flying in to the show will not be spared. TSA says it will set up a special corridor from the flight line parking area back to the main gate to herd pilots and passengers through the system. TSA will also take portable scanners through the rows of airplanes parked in the North 40, and will randomly check those camping near their airplanes.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.eaa.org