Her classmates, around 38 of them, watched Windy Wu, 5, as her pockets were searched by airport security personnel.
This “scene,” as demostrated by airport security personnel, according to Transportation Security manager Betty Kosam, normally happens to passengers who failed to surrender their metallic belongings at the counter for inspection.
San Antonio Elementary School teacher Rita Carreon and Northern Marianas College student-teacher Dorin Salas brought their students to the airport so they could know the procedures when boarding an airplane — from checking-in the baggage to the immigration counter.
It took about an hour for the students, accompanied by their parents, to complete the boarding process.
Kosam said it was not the first time that the students visited the airport.
“But they were very curious and cooperative,” she said.
They had to conduct the actual inspection procedure so that the children would be familiar with the actual situation at the airport, she added.
From the check-in baggage station, the students had to pass through the ticket counter then proceed to the screening and checkpoint to present their passport and tickets before their hand-carry bags were inspected.
TSA personnel showed the students how to recognize liquid substances, like water, that are suspected to contain damaging chemical.
Before entering the “sterile area” all hand-carry baggage must be separated from their owners, and TSA personnel will inspect them to ensure there are no objects that are not allowed inside the plane.
Kosam said they have to hold all suspected liquid substances, drain the contents and donate the containers for recycling purposes.
Usually, she said, in the inspection area. the passengers are given an option to give up the questionable items or liquid substance to the TSA personnel or leave these to his family outside the airport.
Kosam believes that the information they provided to students will be to their parents.
Carreon said it was the first time that the students went through the airport procedure for passengers boarding a plane.
