A letter from the TSA to Kansas City International Airport is putting security issues in the spotlight.
The letter says the goal for security agents is to get people through security in 10 minutes, but that they are having a hard time doing that because of the airport's design.
Read the full letter to KCI on their website.
The letter states, “Facility designs from 1972 do not effectively serve security needs in the 21st century.”
But many fliers love the design.
“Well it’s really easy to use, I think that one of the best things about it,” said flier Luke Olliff.
The biggest issue is the layout of the airport from gate to gate, which means multiple TSA checkpoints. It's convenient for flies but stretches security thin.”
Retired FBI agent William Chornyak says adding more TSA won’t help.
“It doesn’t matter how many people you are going to use TSA, I know would like to use an adjacent terminal or adjacent gates, but because you can’t get through or have access into that area, you can’t use it, so you have to use what’s in front of you,” said Chornyak.
The letter says the design also constrains TSA Pre-Check options.
“What the objective here is to try and reduce that time and get as many people through the checkpoint as possible so they are not susceptible to being a target during an attack,” Chornyak said.
Chornyak points out that in recent terrorism attacks people have died buying a ticket or going through a security line.
But fliers say the design is not concerning to them.
“I don’t see any gaps in it, I don’t feel like people could get away with anything,” Carl Kessler, a flier, said.
No one from the airport was available to comment on the letter.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
