Atlanta Airport Reopens After Security Breach
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Now, let's get the latest on that situation at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, after a security breach there created gridlock that literally rippled through airports across the country. CNN's Natalie Pawelski is there in Atlanta at the airport -- Natalie.</s>NATALIE PAWELSKI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Judy, just a few minutes ago, we heard the first airplane take off from this airport since it was shut down early this afternoon. What happened was a man rushed past a couple of security guards and down an up elevator and got into a secure area of the airport without being screened. Now, under new regulations in place since September 11, that meant that the airport had to be shut down and evacuated. That is why there are thousands of people, 5,000 to 10,000 people estimated, standing outside of Hartsfield Airport waiting to be allowed to go back in. They have let in a few people, but just at a trickle. A lot of people are getting kind of impatient. The mood is pretty good, but reactions are definitely mixed.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm very patient, but I can assure you I don't want to fly a plane for a long time. After 9/11, after the plane crash that happened in Manhattan, I'm very scared. I'm going to have to get on a flight, because I'm not good at driving to Miami. But, for a long time, I won't fly a plane, that's for sure.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We all prefer to be alive rather than take chances.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel great. I just had a wonderful trip and this isn't bothering me one bit. I'm just going with it and I just feel really good. If I have to a stay the night here, then I have never been to Atlanta before, so...</s>PAWELSKI: We just heard a second plane taking off. It is going to take a long time for this airport to get back up to speed. They didn't even really have an estimate for us. That is because all of the airplanes that were here were grounded. Incoming flights were held at the airports where they were supposed to take off from. A few international flights were allowed to land and that is it. Since early this afternoon, there have been thousands of people waiting around, just now, being allowed to get back into the airport, Judy.</s>WOODRUFF: And, Natalie, what about the man who breached security? What happened to him again?</s>PAWELSKI: Officials here say that he was able to escape into the airport. They have not yet caught him. Now they were able to get a video image of him and they are circulating a description of the man to the National Guard and police that are patrolling the airport. But they think it is very likely that he was able to exit with the rest of the evacuees from the airport. It is possible they will catch him, but they are not holding out any great hope.</s>WOODRUFF: All right. Natalie Pawelski at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta, what a situation. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com