04:15 PM PST on Monday, December 22, 2003

By kgw.com and AP Staff

The two largest airports in the Northwest have tightened security following the U.S. government’s decision last weekend to raise the terror alert level.

Under orders from the federal Transportation Security Administration, Portland International Airport began operating on heightened security Monday, said Port of Portland spokesman Steve Johnson.

A screener loads luggage onto a CTX machine at PDX. (KGW Photo)

Travelers can expect random security inspections of vehicles traveling to the terminal building area and cars parked in front of the terminal building.

PDX has also increased the number of law enforcement officers in the building. Airport officials ask that passengers immediately report any unattended bags.

In the past, PDX has closed parking garage spaces nearest to the terminal.

Johnson advised travelers to check their flight times, make use of electronic check-in kiosks and to arrive at PDX two hours before their departure.

The tight security comes during one of PDX’s busiest holiday seasons. PDX is expected to see 750,000 travelers come through its concourses between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6.

helpful resources
		Check PDX flight times
		What's allowed on flights?

At the Sea-Tac International Airport, the orange alert means travelers are met by a security checkpoint.

Drivers headed for the curbside baggage or check-in lanes will be met at a checkpoint, said Sea-Tac spokesman Bob Parker. Most cars are waved through but a few may be stopped for closer inspection.

Parker says drivers can avoid the checkpoint by going through the parking garage. They'll have to pay $2 for 30 minutes. There is no free parking.

About 100,000 passengers will make their way through Sea-Tac on Monday and 105,000 on Tuesday at the peak of holiday travel, Parker said.

To keep traffic moving, Parker advises drivers to park in the garage and avoid the airport curbside drives.

It will also helps for passengers to put all their metal items in a plastic bag before going through the metal detector, Parker said.