Thursday, 4:30 PM
For Logan passengers, long waits amid increased fears
New restrictions and long lines were the order of the day at Logan. In Terminal C, State Police officer Ken Kelleher works his way past passengers waiting to go through security. (George Rizer/Globe Staff)
By John R. Ellement and Mac Daniel, Globe Staff
The increased security at Logan International Airport and at other airports throughout the nation today had passengers late, frustrated and worried.
Koje Goto, 46, was at Logan's Terminal E for a trip back home to Tokyo, feeling nervous about flying but having no choice.
"It affects my nerves, for sure," he said before his 13-hour flight. "But there is nothing we can do, we just pray to God."
His wife had already called from Japan after she saw the news about the terrorist threat. "She is very concerned, very worried," he said.
Chet North, trainer for the Kansas City Wizards, the professional soccer team, was one of hundreds strung out in a long line waiting to get through security today.
"It looks like a peak hour all day long," he said.
North said he learned about the new restrictions before he left for Logan for his 12:30 p.m. flight back to Kansas City. "I feel safer today because of the heightened security rather than the complacency you see on other days," said North, who flies around the country while accompanying the team to matches.
Chiro Iwasacki, 22, of Sasebo, Japan, arrived at Logan unaware of the security threat and the new restrictions on liquids in carry-on luggage Iwasacki routinely brings her own water on board for these long flights but couldn't today.
Mario and Gerry Vernazzaro of Kingston were in Terminal E preparing to board a charter flight to Atlantic City, something they have done numerous times in the past. Both said they would still fly despite the increased security.
"It doesn't make me any more nervous today. It sounds to me like they have everything in control," said Gerry Vernazzaro. "But if I see anyone suspicious you can be sure I'll say something and have no qualms about it."
Her husband added, "I'm not that fearful. I think they've got everything under control."
There were visible signs of the increased security as State Police wearing bulletproof vests and were carrying fully automatic machine guns, in addition to their regular pistols.
