Airport security ramped up for holiday travel rush
LOS ANGELES -- As nearly 47 million people began heading out of town for Thanksgiving on Wednesday, President Obama took the unusual step of going on national television to assure them -- they will be safe.
With ISIS threatening Paris-like attacks in the U.S., the president said every element of America's security apparatus is "on the case."
"I want the American people to know is, that we are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe," President Obama said.
Flanked by his national security team, on Wednesday, the president assured Americans that while there was no credible threat, the nation was working overtime to keep it that way.
For the 25 million people expected to use airports over the next few days, that security will be visible.
At Los Angeles International Airport, heavily-armed police officers have been patrolling the terminals.
But nationwide, some airport police officers complain that security is blind to the so-called "insider threat." At many airports, some workers do not routinely go through security.
The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers is calling for mandatory screening for all airport employees.
"All passengers have to go through screening, why not workers?" said Marshall McClain, who is with the organization.
The Department of Homeland Security said it is reducing access points for employees and looking into mandatory screening.
"We are evaluating whether more is necessary right now," said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. "That is something I and the TSA has been focused on as recently as today."
Several thousand officers will be on duty in New York City along the Thanksgiving Day Parade route.
On the rails, heavily armed police are posted along Amtrak routes in the Northeast. To show the system is safe, Johnson took the train Wednesday afternoon.
The bottom line seems to be that Americans should go about their business and enjoy their holiday -- but everyone should remain vigilant, especially in public places.