Delayed passengers waited good-naturedly Thursday in orderly lines snaking through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as aviation officials bolstered security measures under federal orders.
Just hours after London authorities thwarted alleged terrorist attacks planned for U.S.-bound planes, and federal officials issued the first code red security alert for flights inbound from Britain, many Baltimore travelers said long waits through security were well worth it.
“Everyone seems to be in a good mood,” said Margaret Graham of Olney. “You want [officials] to take all the precautions they need to.”
Airport employees wove their way through the airport?s D concourse ? the most congested with many early morning flights ? pulling passengers at risk of missing their flights to the front. The state transportation authority added dog and police patrols inside and outside the airport, and parked its incident command mobile at the airport entrance. Security checks were also added at boarding gates.
Passengers were also not allowed to bring liquid or gel products including drinks, shampoos, sunscreen, even lipstick. Amanda Strong of Columbia said she was having her boyfriend mail her make-up and a wedding basket she made with bottles of champagne so she wouldn?t have to throw it away.
State officials said they had four hours to prepare for the heightened security measures, and many airlines delayed flights to accommodate waiting customers. Lines subsided around 10:30 a.m., said deputy secretary of transportation Jim Ports.
“We?re feeling the same pains with long lines as they do at airports around the country, and we recognize the inconveniences this poses, but the response is proportional to the very real threat we uncovered today,” Ports said.
One flight was expected to arrive in Baltimore from London Thursday at 6 p.m., two hours late. Airport chief administrator Tim Campbell said he expected few delays into today, but advised passengers allow additional pre-boarding time.
Thursday morning, the idle time gave Howard Stevens of Timonium a chance to talk to other waiting passengers about the would-be attacks and the politics of terrorism. The conversation lasted most of the wait, he said.
“I didn?t know him before, but we?re good friends now!” he said.
