When 23 year old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to bomb a
Northwest 253 flight form Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas day – his
single thwarted act forced sweeping changes in air security regulations all
around the world. And that includes Belize where as I found at the Phillip Goldson
International today – security has tightened up. Here’s more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Since the Christmas day attempted bombing of Northwest Airline 253 from Amsterdam
to Detroit, US Homeland Security has increased security at all US airports and
issued directives to all international airports that serve US airlines including
Belize. The goal to ensure your next travel is a safe one into the United States.
Today it was busy at the Philip Goldson International Airport as hundreds of
passengers were double checked before they boarded their flights on Continental,
American and Delta. As explained by 
PGIA’s Chief of Security Luis Escobar,
both check in and carry on luggage including the passengers clothing and footwear
are closely checked during the pre boarding screen and at the departure gates.
Luis Escobar, Chief of Security – PGIA
“Since that Delta flight from Amsterdam to America, we have been implemented
one directive. That directive is additional screening to the screening we are
already doing. This screening is done at the bordering gate and we are doing
100% screening of all carry on luggage and also the passenger himself. We have
always been doing pre-boarding screening but apart from that we are also doing
additional screening which is at the gate. This came into effect since that
incident with that passenger.”
And the passengers we spoke to did not mind the added security but questions
if indeed it will stop another incident.
Airline Passenger #1,
“I have no problem with it because I want to be safe when I am travelling.
I love the security, believe me, I have the time.”
Airline Passenger #2,
“I am not sure it makes much of a difference, if some people feel
more comfortable then I don’t know but it doesn’t matter me.”
Airline Passenger #3,
“There are always going to find a way, we can only do our best.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Do you feel more safe with all these security measures in place?”
Airline Passenger #4,
“Not really, it is a pain in the bum. I don’t think it is going
to make any safer.”
Only a few items were confiscated from the additional screening done at the
departure gates where as you can see everything is thoroughly checked and where 
once again you must take off your shoes and your body is checked. As one security
officer pointed out they do not feel comfortable going through passengers personal
items but it is a job they got to do to help protect people’s lives.
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Since 9/11 people are still confused about what items they are allowed
to carry because even here you all had to be double checking certain items that
passengers had in their carry on luggage?”
Luis Escobar,
“Passengers are not allowed to carry any sharp or pointed objects.
They are not allowed to carry weapons or ammunitions. Also since 9/11 they are
not allowed to carry any liquid, gel, nor aerosol of more than three ounces.
If they are taking more than three ounce liquid, they are then to put it in
a one gallon plastic container with a zipper.”
Passengers are advised to be at the PGIA for the standard two hours before
their flight departs. And while there was only a slight delay created as a result
of the long lines formed at the gate screening for the required additional security
check the chief of security did offer this advise to anyone who may travelling
soon to the United States.
Luis Escobar,
“There will be no need for passengers to come any earlier than two
hours that we’ve had since 9/11. The additional screening is at the gate
so that for the two hours, it gives the passengers enough time to go to the
desk at the check in counter, go through the pre-board screening and on to the
gate. This is where we have a bit of delay but it is not much.
Passengers should as soon as they finish check-in at the counter, go straight
into the departure lounge, that is my advice to them. And also, if passengers
should try to put as many of these items in their check in luggage so that they
will have only one carry on luggage per passenger so that when they reach to
the boarding gate they will not have a lot of carry on luggage to check.”
If you would like to spend anytime with family before boarding it is best to
be at the airport as much as three hours before you depart. Of course once onboard
you are advised to follow any additional directives given by the flight crew
as a result of the increased security.
7News understands that the new measures undertaken as a result of the
attempted Christmas day bombing will expire on December thirtieth but new directives
may be issued thereafter.
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