Watch CBS News

Oakland Airport Brings In Extra Inspectors For Thanksgiving Travel

OAKLAND (KCBS) - Oakland Airport has brought in extra TSA inspectors to help with the heavy holiday load of passengers and to also be on hand for Wednesday's planned nationwide protest against full body scanners.

The scanners at issue were just recently installed at the Oakland Airport according to spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

"In Terminal 2 where Southwest is, those weren't installed until September," Barnes said. "So keep in mind, a lot of travelers haven't traveled since then. The last time they may have traveled was summer. So this is new technology and a new procedure that some of them may have to go through for passenger screening."

Which is why you might see the extra TSA inspectors in their black windbreakers at the checkpoints, trying to ensure smooth sailing through the holiday period.

Passenger Francis Fagan just arrived from Las Vegas. He has a pacemaker and was concerned about the hullabaloo over the security procedures.

"I couldn't have been happier. We came there with trepidations. We didn't know what was going to happen. It was a piece of cake," he said.

Barnes said Oakland Airport expects 35,000 travelers on the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration is responding to the outcry over airport security procedures.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.