Airport Security Unplugged

By SALLY B. DONNELLY

For all the high-tech security gear that is making life more complicated for air travelers, sometimes it's the smallest things causing the biggest headaches. Last week Boston's Logan became the fourth airport in as many weeks to be temporarily shut down because a screening machine was unplugged. Even more annoying, the problem can be solved by a simple $29.95 piece of hardware. After one such disruption two weeks ago, an airline-industry executive went to Home Depot, bought a device that locks a plug into an outlet and gave it to an official of the new Transportation Security Administration. Rather than buy the devices for all the airports that need them, however, the TSA simply suggested that its employees purchase the device and get reimbursed later.

Not all security challenges lend themselves to such relatively easy fixes. Airlines are testing large explosive-detection systems--machines that sniff out bombs in luggage. Congress has mandated that these machines be in service at all large airports by year's end. But sources tell TIME that the systems have been largely unreliable thus far. In some cases they average 50% error rates, confusing harmless material for deadly bombs and causing long delays. Airline officials fear the EDSs won't be able to handle the luggage of nearly 700 million passengers who fly in the U.S. each year. Former American Airlines CEO Robert Crandall said last week, "This equipment is simply not ready for prime time."

--By Sally B. Donnelly