Airports seek delay in deadline to screen baggage

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Managers at many of the nation's large airports have asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to persuade Congress to back off deadlines that require all checked baggage be screened by the end of the year, according to a magazine report.

But a spokesman said the Transportation Department would not seek a delay.

In a May 28 letter to the department, airport managers expressed concern about the cost of buying and installing bomb-detection machines, Time magazine reported. CNN has confirmed the letter.

"We're committed to working with the airlines and working with Congress to meet the deadlines," the DOT spokesman said. "We're working with the airport operators to try to address their concerns."

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In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Congress mandated that all checked bags be screened by the end of 2002.

To meet the deadline, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has said the nation's 429 airports will use either explosion detection system machines, trace-detection machines or both devices.

The plan is to equip the nation's airports with 1,100 more explosion detection system machines -- they're already in some airports -- and 4,800 trace-detection machines.

The former cost $1 million each and another $1 million to install. Some airport managers have expressed concern that they will have to spend even more to fortify floors and reconfigure terminals to accommodate the heavy, bulky machines.

Trace-detection machines cost about $40,000 each and occupy less space.