Travel expert: Don’t be concerned with changes at Sea-Tac after attack on Brussels
Mar 23, 2016, 12:53 PM
The setting sun strikes the terminal and its blown out windows at Zaventem airport, one of the sites of two deadly attacks in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Authorities in Europe have tightened security at airports, on subways, at the borders and on city streets after the attacks Tuesday on the Brussels airport and its subway system. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Lines at Sea-Tac Airport have been reportedly getting longer, and some travelers are reporting that they have been allowed to keep their shoes on as they pass through security screenings – something that has caused some concern given the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels.
But KIRO Radio travel expert Steve Danishek says that travelers shouldn’t be worried just because of the shoe routine and long lines.
“TSA procedures change by design so they don’t become static and you can’t count on the same thing every time,” Danishek said. “I suspect that they are applying a filter that is allowing to keep shoes on and speed up the lines a little bit.”
“It doesn’t bother me one bit … I doubt that TSA is saying it is cast in concrete that you will be able to keep your shoes on,” he said.
Danishek said that he has confirmed lines have been getting longer at Sea-Tac airport, and there are a few reasons for that. One is that Seattle’s population is growing and so is the need for travel. TSA is also training a lot of new employees. That takes time, and that can take up time.
“They do a good job and they are vetted and very well trained,” Danishek said. “Seattle has a huge job growth … and quite a number of TSA employees are finding better jobs and leaving. That is creating a problem in staffing. TSA is having to back fill, but it takes six months to train an employee.”
“I suspect since the event in Paris, there has been more scrutiny,” he said.
Not just the attacks in Paris, but the March 22 attacks in Brussels has affected travel.
“Unfortunately, this has become standard, after Paris and other places,” Danishek said.
“Travel to and from Belguim will be impacted,” he said. “Generally, in a case like this, it’s about a two-month period of time before people feel comfortable traveling to or through an affected airport,” he said. “Business travel comes back first — they have to travel. Leisure travel will stay away for a period of time. If there are additional incidents, then that period of time obviously extends.”
Danishek said that there is one main thing to do for people with travel plans involving Brussels: check with the airline about ticket changes. Many airlines will offer waivers for customers to reschedule their flights.
For example, Danishek notes, United Airlines has put in place a waiver period from March 22-31 for ticket holders to reschedule their flight through April 12.
“If you are holding a ticket to or through Brussels from March 22-31, United Airlines will waive the change fees and any difference in fare. You must reschedule the travel within that window — that’s by April 12.
But each airline is different, he notes. American Airlines has a different waiver window — March 22-29, and ticket holders must reschedule their travel between March 22 and April 12.”
Danishek said that airlines are also expanding their waivers to other airports in nearby European countries such as London, Frankfurt, and Paris. Travelers may be able to get waivers should their flights involved those cities as well.
Danishek said people can understandably be shaken after such tragedies, and nervous. He said advice remains the same for travelers: blend in wherever you go; avoid crowds; and be aware of your surroundings. And as always, if you see something, say something.
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