Everyone has baggage, let’s be sure to check it

With the threat of terrorism still large, Congress should maintain its insistence on rapid improvements to airline baggage screening.

Airport security legislation signed last month by President Bush calls for all carry-on baggage to be screened for bombs, an important step to prevent suicide attacks. Although the Sept. 11 attacks involved armed hijackers, terrorists over the years have shown too much interest in bombing passenger planes to ignore checked luggage.

The bill requires federal authorities to establish a temporary screening system, using baggage checkers or bomb-sniffing dogs, early next year. By the end of the year, all baggage would have to go through explosives-detecting machines.

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, who represents south Snohomish County in Congress, was a leader in crafting the congressional language that requires screening of checked bags. President Bush’s signature was hardly dry, however, before Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta warned that he might be unable to meet the screening deadlines. At the same time, Mineta said his goal is to move passengers through airport security checkpoints within 10 minutes.

A 10-minute wait is a fine, even a praiseworthy goal. Members of the flying public should face as little delay as possible. But let’s also be realistic. America faces an enemy who has already exploited the weaknesses in our air security system. The public understands this and is willing to accept quite a bit of inconvenience to thwart the terrorists and protect themselves and others. For the moment, the country needs more emphasis on meeting the deadlines imposed by Congress.

That’s why, after hearing Mineta’s concerns about the deadlines, Inslee and other members of the House of Representatives from both parties immediately added $250 million to help with screening baggage.

This week, members of the Senate will begin considering the appropriations bill containing the additional baggage screening money. The Senate should follow the House in boosting the commitment to screening all baggage. The deadlines are, indeed, difficult to meet. But it makes sense to try, even if extra money is required.

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