In an attempt to close another potential gap in aviation security, federal officials may be targeting an unlikely source of terrorism — professional athletes.

        The Transportation Security Administration is in the midst of finalizing tighter security regulations for privately chartered planes that weigh more than 95,000 pounds or have 130 or more seats (about the size of a DC-9 or Boeing 727).

        That would mean large traveling groups that routinely hire their own planes to avoid flying on commercial airlines would be forced to undergo the same kind of screening that regular passengers endure inside the terminal.

        That describes sports teams such as the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, as both teams bypass passenger checkpoints and are bused directly to their chartered planes for road games. And professional sports officials nationwide are raising concerns about the new practice.

        “We don't know just how it will impact us, but there are definite ramifications for all kinds of things,” said Bengals business manger Bill Connelly, who arranges the team's 8 to 10 annual flights, including tonight's trip to Buffalo for Friday's exhibition season opener.

        “Whatever regulations are put in place we'll follow, but we're hoping that we can come up with a common sense approach to this,” Mr. Connelly said.

        Despite the fact that such visible groups as pro and college sports teams are unlikely to attack a plane, federal authorities argue that the restrictions are necessary because of the not-so-visible groups. Aviation security experts have said that under current regulations, nothing would preclude a large group from posing as an orchestra or someone buying a ticket on a private ski charter with the aim of taking over a large jet.

        “This level of plane has never been regulated before, and after the horror and terror of Sept. 11, it was something the TSA had to look at,” said Heather Rosenker, spokeswoman for the TSA, the agency created after the attacks to handle aviation security.

        The rule becomes final on Aug. 18, although Ms. Rosenker said that federal authorities would work with charter companies and professional sports leagues over the coming months to figure out how to comply. The agency will begin enforcing the rules later in the fall, Ms. Rosenker said.

        The area's major charter companies, such as Executive Jet Management at Lunken Airport and Delta AirElite in Erlanger, say that the rule will have little impact on them, because most of their planes are smaller than 95,000 pounds.

        But officials with the Reds and Bengals say that they can't use small planes because of the size of their parties and the extent of their luggage and equipment. This season, the Bengals will charter a Boeing 757 from Delta Air Lines.

        Reds traveling secretary Gary Wahoff says the team uses a Boeing 727 hired through an unspecified private company, with Delta providing some services for its 40-plus flights a season.

        Currently, the Reds and Bengals arrive at their planes on buses under escort from airport police. Their luggage is checked by a bomb-sniffing dog, but those on the bus are not required to go through metal detectors nor is their carry-on baggage X-rayed, as with commercial airlines.

        Anyone in the party is required to immediately board the plane from the bus, however, and they are not allowed inside the terminal, considered a “sterile” area because passengers there have already been screened. Upon arrival, they also must board a bus immediately and leave the airport.

        The basketball teams at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University normally fly on commercial airlines and are not greatly affected, although several athletic directors at bigger schools have weighed in on the new regulations.

        So have the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA.

        All say that putting highly visible athletes through regular screening checkpoints could create a different kind of security risk.

        “Let's say we beat Pittsburgh there in overtime on a field goal, and then we have to go through the airport in Pittsburgh to get home,” Mr. Connelly said. “The emotions run high on Sunday evening, so who knows what could happen when you've got that mix going.”

        Under the new rules, charter companies may be able to provide their own security screeners and use their own machines, as long as they have been certified by the TSA. But baseball and basketball officials worry that screeners may not be on duty late at night.

        “I understand why they are doing it, but it might be creating a whole new set of problems,” said the Reds' Mr. Wahoff. “... But I agree that we need to limit the exposure as much as possible.”

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