Breach in Air Security: Screen All Baggage

As I watched the coverage of Monday morning’s horrific air crash in Queens, I felt compelled to immediately write the letter I have been wanting to write for some time now. For weeks we have been told about the beefed-up security at the nation’s airports, the National Guard, etc., and Americans are being strongly encouraged to return to the air. Until every piece of check-in luggage is also carefully screened or checked, none of this means a thing.

Although I do not yet know the real cause of Monday’s disaster, I feel very strongly that this gaping hole in air travel security is going to lead to more heartbreak for the American people. Today’s air travelers take a big gamble every time they board a plane, and this is one unbelievable security breach that should be corrected immediately.

Margaret Coburn

Hacienda Heights

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Mayor James Hahn should not wait for the federal government to improve the safety of flying. He should mandate the immediate installation of scanners to examine all check-in luggage, as is done in Europe without undue waiting in line. To pay for these machines and their operators, he should collect a security fee from all passengers of between $10 and $20 each. This tax should be spent on full security screening, nothing else.

Janet Macaulay

Claremont

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On Oct. 29 I experienced what I thought was a pretty thorough search as I made my way to my flight at Ontario International Airport. I was patted down and emptied my pockets; they took my travel flask of whiskey and poured it out and went through my day pack. Later, as I was settling into my seat, I realized that there was a pepper spray in my day pack. I had forgotten about it. I carry it to fend off dogs in the course of my work. On my return flight on Nov. 4, I decided to leave it in my pack and went through security at Orlando International Airport. Again, the pepper spray was not found. Good thing I’m not a terrorist.

Micael McQuade

Pomona

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The longest flight across the U.S. is five to six hours. What does one need for this trip? The airplane ticket and maybe a book to read. All other things fit in a traveler’s pocket. If one does not like the food on the plane, a sandwich in a paper bag is easy to carry. All other things should be in the luggage compartment. When buying a ticket, one should be told that there will be no carry-on luggage.

Walter Allison

Seal Beach