Travelers Embrace Increased Airport Security For Thanksgiving Week
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Forty-six million Americans are expected to travel this week -- and for those passing through airports like LaGuardia, they will see extra security, including heavily armed officers and enhanced screenings.
Passengers at LaGuardia airport told CBS2's Matt Kozar they are aware of the increased security -- and some are welcoming it.
Sam Muniz is flying back home to Chicago.
"You can tell people are looking out, being a little bit more, I don't know if I want to say suspicious, but keeping active eyes with that kind of thing," Muniz said.
If travelers are nervous, so are the airlines. Just this week, Southwest Airlines delayed or diverted three flights. In two cases, passengers were afraid when fellow fliers spoke Arabic.
On Sunday, three passengers said to be acting suspiciously on a flight from Indianapolis to Los Angeles forced a diversion to Kansas City and phony bomb threats re-directed three flights this week from the U.S. headed overseas.
On Sunday, NYPD officers conducted active shooter and counterterrorism training at the abandoned Bowery Street subway station. The routine drill included an attacker with a suicide vest for the very first time, in light of the Paris attacks.
Erica Gulliver, who's traveling from New York to Dallas said she won't let security concerns affect her daily routine.
"I really feel fine about it," Gulliver said. "That sort of heightened security has been here for several years. It's just become part of life."
The Department of Homeland Security said there are no credible threats anywhere in the U.S. at this time, including New York City.
