Airport security approach may change — but not this week
As travelers continue to protest the use of full-body scans and aggressive pat downs at airports, some modifications may be coming to the screening process — but not anytime soon.Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was at the Trenton Train Station Monday to promote a national “see something, say something” security awareness campaign.She said there will be an evolution in airport-screening technology, but passengers should not expect any changes for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.”As we move forward, of course we will listen to concerns. Of course we will make adjustments or changes when called upon,” said Napolitano. “But not changes or adjustments that will affect the basic operational capability that we need to have to make sure that air travel remains safe.”Napolitano urged air travelers not to participate in a national opt-out of the screening that critics plan for Wednesday. She said that would be counterproductive during one of the busiest travel times of the year.Napolitano was accompanied Monday by U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. Lautenberg said the body searches are disturbing and should be as noninvasive as possible. “Their primary mission is to protect the public. But we want to make it as comfortable as is humanly possible,” Lautenberg said. “Whether it’s time or personal humiliation that could occur to be avoided.”
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