By Dave Thompson and Tracy Fugere
Undated – The managers of the Bismarck and Fargo airports say North Dakota National Guard members are working out very well in helping with airport security.
President Bush asked governors to activate Guard troops to help out with security, and Governor Hoeven ordered that at least two Guard soldiers would be on duty during operating hours at the state's eight largest airports.
Bismarck Airport Manager Greg Haug says the Guard troops are helping with outside patrols, as well as at the metal detectors. He says they're working out well -- and so far, the passengers are happy:
"For the most part, I think the passengers welcome the sight of having a couple of National Guardsmen around. It adds to the presence of law enforcement officials, and I think it puts them a little bit more at ease."
Fargo Hector Airport Executive Director Shaun Dobberstein says the National Guard's presence has been noticed by the traveling public.
And he says the overwhelming majority of the people appreciate the Guard being there.
"I think they've had conversations or comments more in the positive sense in terms of them being here and they've received some in the other sense as well. But the overwhelming majority of the people have appreciated their presence."
Dobberstein says airport travel this week has been an exception to the rule with the Microsoft-Great Plains Stampede that's in Fargo.
"The traffic levels are very good this week. And beyond that I guess for the rest of October, once the stampede is finished--which most people leave on Saturday and Sunday, beyond that remains to be seen. I think we're starting to see the first wave of some of the fare discounts put in place by some of the airlines with the goal of attracting the traveling public back to the air. Hopefully, those things will work but time will really tell."
The guard personnel will be there until the federal government takes over airport security.