Airports Busy Ahead Of Holiday Weekend
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Long lines greeted travelers at south Florida airports ahead of a busy holiday weekend.
Both Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International had longer-than-expected wait times -- spurred on by the attack at an airport in Turkey.
"When you listen to the news of what's happening in the world today, you want to be as safe as possible," said Miami-Dade Police Sgt. Angel Dovale.
Using dogs and armed officers, police are on the look out for anything out of the ordinary.
"They're selected at random. There is no specific order," said Sgt. Dovle. "And what we're doing is making sure everyone has their credentials and they have a reason why they're coming into the airport."
However, since the TSA added extra staff, the lines, while slow, kept moving at both airports.
"It was really heavy, the traffic, and we have to wait," said passenger Alicia Aguayo. "I think it's what's happening in the world. I think it's okay."
Friday is the busiest travel day of the 4th of July weekend.
More than 210,000 passengers are expected to pass through Miami and Ft. Lauderdale combined. At each airport, we're seeing heightened security, starting curbside.
"At the entrance to the airport they had a check point and at the terminal building, another. You see more officers curbside, all this after the attacks in Turkey," said Jose Rodriguez.
Many didn't mind the wait.
"I think it's very good, I don't mind the check and check and check. I'm fine with that," said Carol Greenspan.
Inside the terminals, police patrolled with dogs looking for signs of trouble. All of the airports' employees, from greeters and janitors to executives, have all undergone behavioral detection training so they can spot things that don't seem correct.
"I have a lot of faith," said Nieve Rodriguez. "If something is meant to happen, it's going to happen, that's the way I see it but I can appreciate all the extra security."
Others offered their best survival suggestions.
"You can't be scared," said Greenspan. "You can't be scared. Just live your life and go on. But wear good shoes in case you have to run, as my friend always says."
Airport executives suggest passengers give themselves two hours lead time for domestic flights and two and a half hours for international flights.