Freedoms before 9/11 vs. after 9/11 America is commonly thought to be the land of the free. For generations, we have described ourselves as the best country in the World. Many Americans stand behind life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but it’s the specific freedoms that matter to us the most. These freedoms were upended after the drastic attack on September 11th, 2001. For example, some of the freedoms that took a change in direction were freedom in airports, freedom of speech, and border control.
Security in airports before 9/11 was strict but not as strict as it is today. Before 9/11 scanners were not as efficient, most of the time they would not detect possible threats that would be on a person or in their luggage. More of the freedoms we miss, are leaving your shoes on when going through security, not having to worry about being pulled off a flight for having a “suspicious conversation” in a boarding queue, not having TSA agents yelling directions as if you were a schoolkid or inmate, or even as simple as being able to use the airplane bathroom on flights between NY and Washington, DC (22 things). All of these little freedoms that we had before 9/11 no longer exist, which causes frustration to most Americans. Airline traveling has become such a complex situation that many have turned to alternatives so that they will not have to deal with the hassles that now come with airports and the excessive security. Since the 9/11 attacks took place, the airports have
The first major change that took place after 9/11 was more security was created. For example, the screening that happens now wasn’t as intense as it is now. It seems as if you are stripped from everything before entering the security screening process. Prior to September 11, 2001 you only had to show you’re identification card. You were even allowed to carry on knives and scissors. Although I do not remember this because I was only 4 years old, but my mother told me that only a curtain was used to separate the area of passengers from the pilot. Now, at every checkpoint you are asked to show you’re identification. We could board the planes without removing clothing, shoes or belts, but now you have
Air Travel is one of the main things that was majorly affected by 9/11. One of the main components of air travel that had changed was security. Almost immediately after 9/11 the government issued Aviation and Transportation Security Act which then lead to Transportation Security Administration, TSA for short. Because of this security check became stricter and new procedures were introduced and enforced. Some of these new procedures are as the following: weapons and destructive item checks, only passengers with tickets were allowed to go through and pass security, restriction on liquids and contaminants in luggage, and guidelines passengers must follow.
An American’s civil liberties are among some of the most important rights awarded to a citizen. After 9/11 some of those liberties were taken away by the expansion of executive power, the National Security
Since the founding of the United States of America, freedom has been the basis of the governmental and ruling systems in place. Individual freedoms are protected in both the Bill of Rights and the rest of the Constitution, and Schwartz (2009) explains that ‘public liberty ultimately enhances collective rationality—it is a path to heightening our wisdom by increasing access to pertinent information and improving decision making’ (p. 409). However, there have been many times in history when the true freedom of citizens is called into question. There has always been controversy about how much power the government should have, who is keeping the government in check, and if citizens are properly informed about what their elected governed are doing. The passing of the Patriot Act in 2001 was no exception to this controversy. The
One beautiful morning in September 2001 many people went about their day like they have before. Some off to work, or traveling for business, or to visit family, and in a blink of an eye our lives in America changed forever. We were attacked, on our own soil, not once, but four times. That fourth plane didn’t make it to its destination, thanks to the brave souls aboard that sacrificed their lives to save others. On that fateful day 2,753(NYmag) families would never be the same, as well as the rest of us that watch in disbelief. The attacks on September 11th 2001 led to something called the Patriot Act. In the days after 9/11 Congress hurried to pass a bill to give law-enforcement agencies the power to fight domestic terrorism. On October 26, President George W. Bush signed three hundred page USA Patriot Act into law (Crf.org). The USA Patriot Act of 2001 was created to prevent and catch terrorist in the United States and around the world. The contents of it has been one of great controversy in the rights of our privacy and the violation of our constitutional rights. Can we give up too much freedom to keep us safe? Where do we draw the line to keep our Country safe?
September 11, 2001 was an unforgettable day when many people lost there lives and sadly, airport security failed at three different airports. Airport security is a big deal all across the country and we depend on the use of the security for the safety of our own lives along with the others around us. There were many attacks throughout history that helped the airport to see what there weaknesses were, which helps strengthen their current security systems. 9/11 was a big impact on the world and caused grief to many families, but all that grief could have been avoided if they were caught in the airport! Airport security went from relaxed to strict very quickly. There were many changes in the security before 9/11, during 9/11, and after
The September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks forever changed the way our air travel industry operates. It affected the government, the airlines, airports, employees, and passengers alike. There was not as much of a threat of terrorism before 9/11, so airport security was not nearly as thorough, and at times intrusive as it is today. Through the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, the evolving threat of terrorism has not been successful in carrying out another 9/11 style attack.
Prior to 9/11, commercial airport security was minimal. The most an individual had to do was remove the coin change in their pockets or maybe even taking off belts that had particularly large buckles and walking through a metal detector. Not today. Now there are full body scanners at some airports. Twelve years ago, non-ticketed visitors could escort their loved ones departing to airline gates. No today. Security prior 9/11 was what I would say is lackadaisical. There was a point in time where pilots would fly with the cockpit doors open, and they would even invite younger children to the cockpit to take a glimpse at the controls. Not today. Currently, the cock pit door stays closed, usually with a flight attendant standing guard in front of it. Prior to 9/11, you only had to show ID when you were checking in and only two questions were asked: Did you pack your own bags? Have your bags been seen outside your control? No today. Now all luggage, carry ons included, are searched by TSA agents. Today, on every flight, there are at least one to two officers disguised for
9/11 shifted the primary role of the US government to keeping US citizens safe, but it is not at the expense of individual freedoms. After the 9/11 attacks took almost 3,000 lives and shocked not only the US but other countries, the US decided to make changes to certain things, in order to prevent more attacks. The government did this by detaining illegal aliens, teaming up with other countries, creating a new department of Homeland Security, and bumping up security. These actions did not take away individual freedoms, they are rather saving lives and keeping the US safe from unwanted threats.
Look around you America. Your world is changing. Suddenly it’s no longer safe to fly in airplanes, attend sporting events, or just open your junk mail. Almost daily, news of threats and security breach’s litter the airwaves, leaving many asking the same question. “How can we make our country safe again?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer. America is united in the cause, but divided over the methods of preventing terrorism. At this time of uncertainty, many are urging Americans to “give up” some of their freedoms and privacy in exchange for safety. Regrettably, this wave of patriotism has spilled over, and is beginning to infringe on our fundamental liberties as outlined in the Bill of Rights. Since the September 11th terrorist
September 11, 2001 was a milestone in the history of the United States, which experienced a collective shock and trauma that has never been forgotten. In the United States most of all, the entire airline and tourist industry was driven to the edge of bankruptcy and would not have survived at all without a major bailout by the federal government. It was already in poor condition for many years after deregulation in 1978, the September 11th attacks were a Near Death Experience. After that time, the airlines decided that they could never permit another attack like this or they would be driven out of business. As it was, their stock prices collapsed and passenger schedules did not return to pre-September 11th levels for four years. All previous security plans were judged to be useless and inadequate, and were taken out of the hands of private security contractors and turned over to the federal government. New and more restrictive laws like the Patriot Act came into being, and the U.S. launched an all-out war on Al Qaeda that has continued for eleven long years.
Before 9/11 things were different. Many people from all kind could walk in an airplane without being checked by any security. In the United States many feared that there would be another
In addition, law enforcement and surveillance authorities are more aggressive and efficient with increased personal and budget motivation. The men involved in 9/11 would never be able to participate in the same activities today as they did before 9/11, such as getting into the United States, taking flight lessons, and wiring money overseas without catching the attention of authorities. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, 16 people were on the U.S. no-fly list. In the years since that numbered has soared to the thousands. Air travelers face increased security at airport checkpoints.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, once said “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” In America’s society today, some are willing to sacrifice their civil liberties in order to gain protection and security over some potential threat. Especially after the events of September 11th and several attempted bombings in U.S. cities. This sacrifice of individual freedoms such as the freedom of speech, expression, the right to information, to new technologies, and so forth, for additional protection is more of a loss than a gain. Citizens of the United States deserve equal liberty and safety overall, as someone should not have to give up
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2011 prompted the world to reevaluate and drastically modify airport and airline security. “Four targets had been chosen, all iconic American buildings that would send a clear message of the depth of their hatred for the United States. All four planes crashed, killing all on board—terrorists, crew members, and passengers, along with hundreds who were killed inside the structures, on the ground, and the men and women who ran into collapsing buildings in an effort to try and save others” (Smutz 1). As Jason Villemez said “the decade after the 9/11 attacks reshaped many facets of life in America” (Villemez 1). Before the attacks, people did not think that large scale hostility towards innocent people in