TSA: Added security not slowing Spokane airport lines

Heightened airport security in the wake of an attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines jet on Christmas Day has not caused any major delays for screening at Pacific Northwest airports, including Spokane, officials said. Dwayne Baird, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration in Salt Lake City, Utah, said heavier passenger traffic during the holiday period may cause longer lines, but that security operations were moving smoothly. He said he was not aware of any delays getting through security at Spokane International Airport. TSA has stepped up security screenings in an approach that adds measures as needed, including explosive-detecting dogs, gate screening, law enforcement presence and behavior detection. The stepped-up security applies mainly to international flights. Airlines may add security measures at flight gates. TSA is advising passengers to arrive at airports 90 minutes to two hours before departures on domestic flights if checking bags and two to three hours in advance if traveling internationally. United Airlines said peak wait times at security check points in Spokane have been running 40 minutes with the lines occurring from 5 to 7 a.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. In Seattle, the peak wait time for security is 60 minutes.