More explosives sniffing dogs now at Sea-Tac Airport

By: Deborah Horne, KIRO 7

TSA is doubling the number of explosive sniffing dogs at Sea-Tac Airport, just in time for the busiest travel season of the year.

The number of these specially trained dogs at Sea-Tac was just five, but Port of Seattle officials said they need at least 10 dogs.  And Saturday the feds came through.

Everyone coming through Sea-Tac airport during peak travel times knows getting through security can seem daunting, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is beefing up its arsenal with some additional four-legged workers to speed up wait times.

“The TSA is introducing additional passenger-screening K-9s into Sea-Tac,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, (D) WA.

Washington’s junior senator made the announcement flanked by Sea-Tac and Port of Seattle officials.

Cantwell said she had to make the case to officials in Washington D.C. about just how critical these explosives-trained dogs are.”Our booming economy has led this airport to grow faster over the last five years than any other large airport in the country,” Cantwell said.

And that growth has come at the cost of much longer security lines. These dogs are trained to sniff out explosives before a traveler ever gets to the screening line. Five dogs were pressed into service a few months ago. Now five more dogs are joining the team.

“You saw the line move much more rapidly when one of those TSA-trained dogs are helping move it along,” said Courtney Gregoire, Port of Seattle Commission President.

And that was greeted with cheers from many travelers.

“I love it, absolutely,” said Helene Reczka, a traveler from New Jersey.  “It makes you feel safer. More security, the better it is.”

But the dogs frightened others.

“For a family going on a vacation, didn’t expect it,” said Rebecca Orth of Bonney Lake. “And the dog was circling us. We have like nothing. It was a little tough.”

Gregoire says they plan to put up signs to let travelers know they could be sniffed by these explosives-trained dogs.

Anyone who is allergic or frightened of dogs or is traveling with a pet, can skip the K-9 sniffing line, but it might mean more time getting through security.