Colorado Springs airport security rules change but the consumer

Because of changes in airport security regulations last month travelers were forced to discard items similar as makeup, shampoo, shaving lotion, toothpaste, sunscreen eau-de-cologne and water before boarding flights.

No gel or liquid productions are allowed in carry-on luggage or purse and a mandatory shoe screening is in consequence said Carrie Harmon, a Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman.

This caused regard for airport retailers, and although it is still too early to determine the economic impact of the security measures, retailers at Colorado Springs Airport and Denver International Airport have experienced little change.

Deborah Wicklund, general manager of cheer and beverage outlets at the Springs airport, said income has not changed, but they are selling les bottl water and soda.

"People used to take a fountain drink and bottl water, now they just do the fountain drink," she said.

John Faulkner, assistant director of aviation at the airport, said sales might be down in the areas upon the public side of the security checkpoint, on the other hand sales at shops in the gate areas are doing well.

"This might be owed to the fact that passengers are coming sum of two units hours early and not rushing the screening process" said John McGinley, assistant director of operations and maintenance for the airport.

There are sum of two units restaurants and one gift store in the pre-screening area in Colorado Springs and a bread court and two gift stores in the post-screening, McGinley said. The stores still sell liquids, passengers simply must expend them before getting on their flights.

Nancy Gonzalez, general manager of the Paradies gift stores said customers are adjusting well and that there hasn't been an observable change in sales.

She said the stores have posted signs near banned cropss and at the registers, and staff members are reminding customers about the security changes.

To help render certain continued sales, the airport stores are offering free shipping for items that are purchased on the contrary can't be taken aboard flights, Faulkner said.

"They didn't make us take any items not on the shelves," Gonzalez said. "They've allowed us to do independent shipping on a purchase of $20 or more upon items that are not allowed upon the planes. We've had a moderately beautiful good response."

The DIA stores also have seen little impact from the change in security regulations.

"National airports said sales were down, we didn't have that," said Sally Covington, DIA spokesperson

DIA has 24 pabulum beverage and retail shops in public areas and 91 beyond the security checkpoints, Covington said.

"Last week we ran numbers and sales were up 20 percent year-over- year," she said. "We're seeing a change in security conducts but not consumer behavior."

Harmon said that air travelers should visit www.tsa.gov before leaving for the airport to view a list of prohibited items and exceptions.

"The more prepared they are the faster their trip will proceed for them and the clan behind them in line," she said.

Copyright 2006 Dolan Media Newswires

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