Behind-The-Scene Tour on Homeland Security Operations at BWIDecember 7, 2006, Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Contact: Washington Foreign Press Center Program Officer Wendy Lyle
Telephone: 202-504-6362; Email: lylewp@state.gov
Ten foreign print and TV journalists from China, Germany, Mexico and Russia got  a unique, inside look at homeland security operations at one of the nation's most sophisticated airports, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The journalists received on site show-and-tell briefings from officials representing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US-VISIT at the airport's security screening area, inline baggage system area, immigration inspection point and non-US citizen exit point. They witnessed how advanced technologies screened carry-on items and shipped luggage, verified personal identities and checked fingerprints. They were shown a large collection of items confiscated under the 3-1-1 guidelines during one hour prior to the departure of an international flight and how a German shepherd and his trainer spotted explosive devices hidden among suitcases. Also, they took part in mock immigration inspection and US-VISIT exit kiosks exercises.
The journalists were eager to engage DHS officials during question-and-answer periods and numerous one-on-one interviews were conducted on site at the end of each program component.
|
