He alienated airport executives who complained that his agency was too secretive and did not consult with them.

"I think we're sitting on top of a gold mine," said Mr. O'Brien, the airport executive.

The airport executives and Daon, as planned, set up their for-profit venture, incorporating it in March to prepare for the promised work.

The no-bid contract for the airport executives would be killed.

Day's first marriage was to singer turned airport executive, James Ray Hendricks in 1942.

Some of the airport executives who signed the letter say they will lobby their Congressional delegations directly.

So, many airport executives are braced for chaos.

But that's not the tack the airport executives take.

Inadequate space will be a problem at many airports, airport executives say.

But some airport executives expect that in some places, some bags will be allowed through unscreened, at least in the early weeks of 2003.