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Gene Kennedy Reporting It's a sign of the times we now live in. A portion of the Salt Lake City International Airport was shut down over an out-of-place garbage can.
Part of the issue was the garbage can's location. Someone left the kitchen-size garbage can on the curb where people drop off and pick up passengers. Since it did not belong to the airport and was in the heart of the terminal, authorities prepared for the possibility that a bomb could have been inside the can.
Just before 8:00 last night, airport authorities closed both lanes for passenger pick-up and drop-off. Vehicles were diverted to the second and third levels of the short-term parking garage.
Airport officials brought in a bomb squad robot to inspect the garbage can. There wasn't a bomb inside, just garbage-- a piece of paper-- in the can.
After an hour and a half ordeal, authorities re-opened the passenger drop-off and pick-up lanes. So by 9:30 last night, everything was back to normal.
Fortunately, while all that was taking place, flights were not disrupted. Still, it's clear anytime something doesn't fit in, whether it's the smallest item or not, officials don't want to take chances. They will inspect anything that appears suspicious.
