By Brett Tannehill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wual/local-wual-878965.mp3
Pasadena, CA – Thousands of college football fans took to the skies this week on their way to the BCS National Championship Game in California. And waiting for them at every airport was sense of heightened security. Alabama Public Radio's Brett Tannehill was among them. He files this report from the Golden State.
Movement through this security checkpoint at Birmingham International Airport was brisk, but deliberate. Some carry-on bags, including mine, were subjected to chemical swabs to test for explosive agents. Passengers also had to remove their shoes, which were then scanned individually. Johnny Jones of McCalla passed through the checkpoint before catching his flight to Chicago and then Los Angeles.
JONES-Whether you like it don't like it, that's your own opinion. But I think in the world we live, the conditions we live in, the environment we live in it's a necessity. It's gonna stay this way. This will never change. :12
Jones flies out of Birmingham about 15 times a year, and says security had been slipping at some other airports in recent months. But he says the recent failed terrorism attempt was good in way because it reminded authorities to stay on their toes. But at times, that does create some inconveniences. Parts of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport were shut down yesterday after a bomb-sniffing dog reacted to a piece of checked luggage. It turned out to be a false alarm.