Port police begin random inspections of oversized vehicles at airport

Port of Seattle police are inspecting oversized vehicles, vans and trucks dropping off passengers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after a car-bomb attack Saturday at the Glasgow, Scotland, airport, and after two car bombs failed to explode Friday in Central London.

Airport spokeswoman Rachel Garson said the inspections were requested by the Transportation Security Administration because of the incidents in Europe.

"TSA asked us to visually inspect vehicles as they enter the drive," she said. The inspections began Sunday and continue today.

She said passenger cars aren't being searched.

Port of Seattle Capt. Ken Irwin said oversized vehicles are being pulled over at the airport on a random basis, and TSA officials are walking by and looking inside the vehicles. He said the inspections take about 10 seconds, and drivers aren't being asked to leave their vehicles.

Jennifer Marty-Peppin, a TSA spokeswoman, said additional K-9 teams have also been deployed at the airport.

"As for TSA, we are doing the same things we always do, just more of it. The traveling public will see our resources up front in a visible way," she said, adding that air marshals, aviation inspectors, and uniformed Transportation Security Officers are moving from out in front of the checkpoint to public areas.

"It is important to emphasize that there in no specific, credible threat to the U.S.," she said