4.3 Aviation Security: The Threat of Terrorism
This week for aviation security I choose the threat of terrorism for my discussion. After 9/11 we learned that we needed better security measures within our airports. As technology progresses, new building methods and materials for weapons and bomb manufacturing are developed, it has become easier for a terrorist to sneak a weapon and or bomb onto an aircraft to do harm to others. of the 20 layers of aviation security used by TSA, the most effective ones for preventing terrorism would be checked baggage checkpoints, and law enforcement officers.
My first choice was checked baggage since it is the first place you go when checking in for your flight, its the first line of defense in preventing a terrorist attack. Bags are checked with x-rays and by hand by TSA personnel. When your bag is checked under x-ray and the TSA officers spot something suspicious, they will open your bag and search you whatever that item is. Have you ever noticed that when you open your checked bag after a flight that sometimes things will have been moved around? this works great at finding any hazardous materials, weapons, bombs, and anything else that might be used in a terrorists attack.
My second choice were checkpoints within the airport itself. Have you ever stopped and looked at the security checkpoint before you go into the concourse to board your flight? that is there for many of reasons. One being a screening of your carry on baggage via (much like your checked baggage) x-ray and or physicals search by a TSA officer. the second reason is to screen the individual for any weapons, bombs, or any other items that could be potentially used for an attack. this screening can be conducted by one of three ways, a metal detector which can be a walk through or wand, stand-in x-ray machine, or pat down upon discovery of any suspicious items.
My third and finally choice was the support of law enforcement. we all know we cannot be everywhere at once. So TSA has several officers deployed through out airports, as well as the support as the airport PD themselves. this helps them cover more ground and keep an eye out for any suspicious persons within the airport. This also gives the ability to quickly respond to an issue which arises which could ultimately spot a potential attack. Side note they're also very very helpful if you are lost in a large airport.
Now with all these layers and many more, there is still room for improvement. for checked baggage I suggest a manual search along with X-ray screening regardless of what is found. For checked carry on I suggest the same. granted this would make time getting through take longer I feel like this would cover everything. for law enforcement the only suggestion i can think of is for the public to assist them in reporting any suspicious activity and or any unattended baggage. Remember they can only do so much, its up to everyone else to be their eyes and ears.
References:
https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/08/01/inside-look-tsa-layers-security
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