Maybe I wasn't as thorough as I should have been inspecting luggage.

Since February 2002, when the newly created Transportation Security Administration assumed the responsibility of inspecting luggage, El Al alone has been permitted to conduct a second screening at four airports, including Kennedy, said Ann Davis, an agency spokeswoman.

Ms. Benczik noted that airline personnel, and not the Port Authority police, are in charge of inspecting luggage and passengers at airport security checkpoints, but she acknowledged that the police were responsible for patrolling the airport, for overall security and for protecting passengers from criminals.