Stricter Security In Place For Tulsa Airline Passengers

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The attempted attack prompted airports to immediately implement stricter security restrictions.

Flying already involves inconveniences but passengers are now looking at even longer lines and fewer freedoms.

Traveling is more of a hassle now due to the botched attack. Passengers have to take off their shoes, there are restrictions on liquids and gels but TSA says passengers really only need to plan for extra time to make it through the screening process.

After a Nigerian man tried to light an explosive device on a plane headed from Amsterdam to Detroit, many are left wondering how he got through already strict airport security.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nepolitano admitted Monday that airline security failed.

"We're going back and looking at what were the events that led up to that individual getting on this plane with that material," Nepolitano said.

However, leftover holiday travelers did not seem fazed by either the Christmas Day threat or ramped-up security.

"You know it really wasn't all that different than when we went over," said Jan Skinner, a Tulsa traveler who just returned from a holiday trip.

The Transportation Security Administration says it has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities to ensure security remains top priority

Read what the TSA says about the new security measures.

TSA says security checkpoints remain the same and passengers do not need to be doing anything differently but they do need to plan for additional security measures when they come to the airport.

Domestically, TSA implemented explosive detection canine teams clearly visible at Tulsa International.

Travelers may also see more law enforcement officers, gate screenings and behavior detections.

"I did notice in Hawaii that they didn't do here, in Hawaii, when I took my shoes off they took them and put them through a machine," Skinner said.

Internationally, the restrictions are tougher with increased pat-downs and bag searches.

"I don't like flying anyway. Maybe a little bit but being that it's not international, if I was going overseas it would be worse. Probably wouldn't be going," said Kathleen Sullivan, Tulsa traveler.

Passengers remember and accepted tougher restrictions right after the 2001 terror attacks and seemingly put up with the inconveniences one line at a time.

TSA has not put a timeline on how long these measures will remain in place but says it will continue to review the measures to ensure the highest levels of security.