RSW fliers notice higher security after European attacks

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Fliers at Southwest Florida International airport say they’ve noticed heightened security measures in the wake of European attacks in recent months.

The Transportation Security Administration is in the midst of hiring hundreds more security guards. A suicide attack at an airport in Istanbul that killed dozens this week is the latest concern, but an Ave Maria law professor who’s a homeland security expert believes the response to that could make airports like RSW safer than they were before.

“The circumstances now will raise the security alert in the United States,” professor Kevin Govern said. “In some regards we might be more secure now than two days ago before the attack.”

Some travelers said Wednesday that a visible show of force makes them feel safer. The Istanbul attack comes just three months after an incident in Brussels that killed 32. That has some skittish about the idea of traveling.

“I think certain cities are going to be more concerning than others,” Morgan said. “I don’t think it’ll stop me from going, but it’ll certainly make me plan it out a little bit differently.”

Airports remain in play as targets for terrorists, Govern said, but that doesn’t mean anyone needs to stop flying.

“Most Americans who are traveling right now should have a heightened sense of alertness but not put off their travel plans,” he said.