Americans typically get behind the wheel without a second thought about personal safety. Although this most common form of travel has proven a far greater threat to life than commercial flying, the images of airliners acting as missiles to destroy the nation’s largest buildings has implanted a deep anxiety in the social psyche of the nation.

The formal provisions of new federal regulations, as well as the expectations of the traveling public, for airport security in post-Sept. 11 America has brought about a precarious balancing act in the air travel industry; the industry must weigh respect for the dignity of the passenger and timely travel against new and pressing needs for security.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

In direct response to the terrorist attacks, Congress drafted the Federal Aviation Security Bill — legislation promising to overhaul airplane security. President Bush signed the bill Nov. 19.

Several components of the bill have garnered significant public attention. According to White House reports, the federal government steadily increased the number of federal air marshals since Sept. 11 by “borrowing” elite officers from various federal agencies. The terms of the legislation provide funding that will professionalize the air marshals and increase their presence on domestic flights.

However, a pilot with a major national airline said far fewer federal marshals are onboard domestic flights than the public might assume. In fact, the majority of marshals are placed on flights in the Washington, D.C., area. Marshals do not maintain total anonymity, as they announce their presence to the flight crew before takeoff, but still fly in plain clothes.

In addition, cockpit doors are now locked and reinforced for the duration of all flights, and opening cockpit doors is highly restricted.

Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the new legislation involves the eventual federalization of all airport security workers.

“Federal legislation has dictated that all security checkpoint personnel will be federal employees, and all new equipment will be paid for by John Q. Flyer,” said Rod McLean, deputy director of Dane County Regional Airport.

THE PROCESS

In the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, the airport took steps to ensure airport security, McLean said.

Authorities searched all vehicles entering the parking ramp. The practice persisted for several months but the airport relaxed its measures after an engineer’s assessment concluded any explosive device in the parking ramp would not pose a threat to the terminal itself.

“Essentially, in order to impact the airport’s traffic center, a device the size of a semi truck would have to be detonated. Fortunately, trucks won’t fit into the concrete ramp,” McLean said. “If we didn’t have a ramp — just a surface area — cars would have to be searched.”

The airport curtailed curbside check-in following the attacks, but when the airport felt security was sound, officials reinstated it.

“We have had to put 24-hour policing on the curb, and unattended parking is now restricted,” McLean said. “That is a result of the ‘suicide bomber’ aspect and the disregard for human life that this new threat now seems to exhibit.”

However, any unattended vehicles on airport premises will be promptly ticketed and towed.

As the passenger enters the terminal, operations continue, essentially “business as usual.” No significant changes are evident to the naked eye, especially at low traffic periods, when the possibility of long lines is less likely.

Also, as is the case in airports across the country, only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the security checkpoints. Well-wishers must complete good-byes outside the gate.

Airport policy urges all persons on the airport premises, not simply passengers, to be prepared for identification checks. Authorities may now perform ID checks on any individual present on airport grounds.

“Previously, once you got into the terminal, you only needed to present a government-issued photo ID,” McLean said. “Now, you can be asked to provide that up to four times. When waiting in the security check line, you must have a ticket in your hand, which was not true prior to Sept. 11.”

The most significant and noticeable changes, however, occur in the personal-security screening process.

“Government has handed down as of last Friday mandates that all luggage must pass through explosive-detection equipment,” McLean said.

Of the 91 machines immediately available nationwide, all were assigned to larger, high traffic airports. Dane County Regional Airport is currently performing alternative tasks to screen baggage until the machines arrive.

“Madison needs three bag-screening devices,” McLean said. “Right now, we don’t have them and don’t know when we will get them. We will get by this with either hand-searching, canine units, or a ‘matching bag operation.'”

The process of matching bags involves pairing each passenger with each piece of luggage before they board the plane. If there is a bag in the airplane hold without a passenger to match, the bag must be removed and inspected before takeoff.

However, McLean said this process does not deter the prospect of a suicide bomber.

Each airline has the discretion to practice any or all of the above measures, so long as their practices are FAA approved.

Fliers in Dane County encounter a single security gate with two lines. This point serves as a “point of no return,” and a place where all necessary searching take place.

Passengers can expect heavy scrutiny of all personal belongings and carry-on items.

“Lines are moving better since we made two lines through the security checkpoint,” McLean said. “It is certainly better than it was three months ago.”

THE PASSENGERS

Sept. 11 radically altered the airline industry. In spite of all the expense and inconvenience, many would argue it has changed for the better.

“Those first few flights, people were apprehensive,” McLean said. “A lot of that concern has melted away, and the silver lining to all this is that ‘air rage’ has really mellowed. Lines are a little bit longer, but people know why they are there.”

Despite all the changes, the average passenger remains undaunted.

“Madison is a pretty small airport. I don’t think it would be a target,” said Kasia Cibor, who was leaving Madison for Baltimore Tuesday.

However, the added inconvenience is noticeable.

“People have got to start packing differently, like putting metal things on top,” said Neil Mattson of Baraboo. “People need to know that everything will be checked. I had a pack of gum light up the metal detectors in Las Vegas.”

However, while most passengers seem willing to comply with security regulations, some are disturbed with the implementation process of the new measures. Gerhard Simon, a frequent flier bound for Germany, said the process could be run more smoothly.

“What I am surprised at is that although there is a noticeable and admitted difference in the number of people flying, the airlines seem to have just as many delays, and are able to make just as many people late,” Simon said.

Simon said he found it ironic that airlines petitioned the federal government for a bailout after Sept. 11, but security measures are still not apparent.

“With all the money that has been spent by the federal government to improve security and provide equipment, why does the flyer have to wait until the end of the year to see the changes go into effect?” Simon said. “They should find a way to be more efficient.”