Spokane, U.S. airports don’t see anticipated delays

Delays at the Spokane airport as well as nationally were minimal Wednesday despite a planned national protest of heightened airport security measures. “It would have taken longer to protest than just do it,” said 23-year-old Steve Graves, who arrived in Spokane from Salt Lake City. He was randomly chosen for a full-body X-ray scan. “We probably would have missed our flight.” A loosely organized effort dubbed National Opt-Out Day was being called a flop today. Airline travelers were encouraged to refuse the full-body scan and opt instead for an “enhanced pat-down,” which includes touching the groin and chest. Transportation Security Administration officials said very few passengers opted out after days of tough talk on the Internet and warnings of possible delays. In fact, the TSA reported, wait times for security checks at major U.S. airports from San Francisco to New York were 20 minutes or less this morning. More than 40 million people planned to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA, with more than 1.6 million flying — a 3.5 percent increase from last year. Lines at Spokane International Airport reflected the nationwide picture. Thanksgiving travelers easily walked through the checkpoint, a select few stepping into the body scanner. During the morning holiday rush, only three people opted for a pat-down, said Chris Cox, a public affairs officer for TSA. The scan takes about seven seconds, airport officials said. A TSA officer in another room views the X-ray, which shows a person’s contours. An enhanced pat-down can take four minutes or longer. Rick Erb, an active-duty Army National Guardsman, flew into Spokane today. He was randomly picked for the X-ray at the Boise airport. “I didn’t object to it because I didn’t want to be groped,” Erb said, adding that the need for heightened security is troubling. “I don’t agree with it; the bad guys are winning.” TSA officials say the procedures are necessary to ward off terrorist attacks like the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound plane last Christmas, allegedly by a Nigerian man who stashed explosives in his underwear. Barbara Carnes of Spokane was heading to Seattle for the holiday. She had no concerns about the heightened security measures or the body scanner. “Whatever it takes to be safe,” she said. “I don’t care.”