TCRA redoubles security

From Staff Reports

&nbsp  Officials at Tri-Cities Regional Airport announced Monday that security would be heightened further at the airport to protect passengers against possible terrorist reprisal during the continued American and British airstrikes in Afghanistan.
&nbsp  "As a result of U.S. retaliation in Afghanistan, we're stepping up security another notch," said Melissa Thomas, marketing director for TCRA. "These precautions are in addition to heightened security measures taken after the September 11 attacks."
&nbsp  According to Thomas, "passengers will be required to limit carry-on items to one bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, laptop computer, backpack or other type item."
&nbsp  Passengers may also be subject to random searches prior to boarding flights and will be required to show photo identification both at the ticket counter and before boarding the plane.
&nbsp  According to Thomas, armed National Guardsmen posted at the airport shortly after September 11 will continue to patrol the concourse and search cars entering the short-term parking area.
&nbsp  "We're definitely at the highest level of security we've ever seen at the airport. Everything we're doing, we're doing in close conjunction with the FAA and other federal officials to ensure that people can fly safely," said Patrick Wilson, deputy executive director for the Tri-Cities Airport Commission.
&nbsp  "These measures will be in place indefinitely, but I think people realize that any inconvenience is a small price to pay for their security," Wilson said.