Guns in the Cockpit
On the morning of September 11, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked and two of them, brought the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. As a result of these attacks on the United States, airports have come to the realization that the only way to prevent another hijacking is by strengthening the security on aircrafts through the cockpit. In order to secure the cockpit and ensure the safety of the passengers on board, guns were introduced as a possible solution in the event of an emergency situation like those that took place in September of 2001.
The Transportation Security Administration head John Magaw, announced the administrations position that they are against guns in cockpits and a pilot
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When the craft was in the air, the terrorists took the initiative and stormed into the cockpit and took over the controls, turning the aircraft into a guided missile (CBS 1). Increasing security immediately became an important aspect of airports shortly there after. Adequate security ensures the safety of the people in the air and citizens on the ground below. It is expected by passengers, that they are boarding a craft that will land safely at their intended destination. An aircraft should be a safe place for everyone and even though every person that enters the airport goes through the required security checkpoints, there is a small fraction of error. Someone will get by with a potential weapon and board the plane along with it; therefore, the captains should have some form of a rear-view mirror (Press 2). One of the many proposals made since the attacks is installing video cameras in the cabin to monitor passenger activity for any possible terrorist actions. A pilot should be aware of what is happening to the plane and the passengers on board at all times.
In a situation where someone is trying to hijack an airplane, there are three factors needed to be assessed. Does the terrorist have a weapon, are they attacking alone, and is he or she a trained fighter in the case of a Federal Air Marshal interfering (APSA 2)? In the incident of the World Trade Center attacks, the
What do you do if someone is holding a gun in your face, and you have nothing to defend yourself with? Well that is the exact circumstance that we all have the chance of facing on a plane. Americans are expected to get on an airplane and feel safe and protected, but all that has happened on airplanes in the past ten years has left us fearful. We need to do something to make sure that we are safe on an airplane and that an American plane can never be hijacked again. We need to train and arm our pilots to ensure our safety on an airplane.
“After 9/11, the airport security became very strict and has over time, tried to become more efficient and practical for travelers.” said Jotterand.
Since the beginning of aviation, aircraft have been used for other intentions besides carrying passengers and cargo. They have been used as weapons of war dating all the way back to the first world war, and the use of aircraft has enlightened the advancement of the aviation. “Throughout the history of aviation, the greatest progress in flight has been made during time when either war or the threat of war was present” (Millspaugh, et al., 2008, p. 33). However, the war we face today has been triggered by the deliberate use of aircraft to cause death, destruction, and mayhem.
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.
Before September 11, the Federal Aviation Administration perceived that sabotage was a much greater threat than hijacking. This is because there had been no domestic hijackings in a decade, the commercial aviation system was thought to be more vulnerable to explosives than to weapons, and explosives were perceived as deadlier than hijacking and therefore of greater concern (9/11 Commission, 82). The FAA therefore did not think that a hijacking was even a possibility. There was enough concern of sabotage that a "layered defense system" was implemented where a passenger went through prescreening, check point screening, and onboard security (9/11 Commission, 83). However, these were not effective, as the terrorists on 9/11 were still able to carry out their plan.
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
The first attempted hijacking of an airplane on US soil happened in July 1961 out of Chico Municipal Airport. From 1961 through 2016 there were about 10 major airline or airport attacks, worldwide. In 1969 a 19- year-old Marine had control of a flight for 6,900 miles, which was the longest lasting hijacking ever. Then in 1988, a bomb a Pan Am Flight 103 killed all 259 on board and an additional 11 bystanders on the ground. In 2011 a suicide bombing in a Moscow airport killed 37, and in 2016 three coordinated suicide bombings in the Brussels airport killed 32. Between 1968 and 1972 hijackers took over a commercial airline every other week on average. The 9/11 attack was the last straw and on November 19, 2001 the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was passed by the 107th Congress allowing President Bush to create the TSA. Its mission is to protect our nation’s transportation
Some of the terrorists were living in America for over 1 year and attending flying lessons. The other extremists slipped through our country months before September 11th. The attacks were not much of a surprise as they were a shock. Since the US has gotten plenty of warnings from the Islamist extremists. They had wanted to kill Americans indiscriminately and in large groups. Because of this catastrophe after 2 months, Congress federalized air terminal security by passing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which made the Transportation Security Administration. The new TSA is tasked with establishing new security methodology that included stricter rules on traveler and baggage screening. Just ticketed travelers could experience security, and a perpetually changing show of apparatus and methodology were acquainted with output for weapons and damaging things. As new dangers were found after 9/11, new systems were presented, including uprooting shoes and banning
The tragic event that occurred on September 11th, 2001 was something that changed our nation forever. Many people already know of the damage it caused: the massive death count, the complete destruction of the World Trade center, and the emotional havoc that plagued many people. It was something horrible that no person could ever forget, but amidst all of the negativity that 9/11 caused, positive changes can be found, predominantly changes that increased airport security throughout the United States. The changes that 9/11 caused affect the whole security process that you have to go through before you board an airplane. (list changes)
Through the history of aviation the importance of airport security has steadily increased. Since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, many changes have taken place at airports to prevent such an attack from occurring again. The purpose of this paper is to: outline airport security procedures, discuss the different technologies involved with airport security, as well as examine the components of airport security. In addition I will also discuss the Transportation Security Administration’s role in our nation’s airport security.
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
Many years ago airport security was not even an issue. People felt secure and safe and rarely worried about being searched. As time went on, the prevealance of terrorism became an increasing issue. There began more acts of terrorism by threatening and holding hostages on board commercial planes. As these acts continued, the government as well as citizens became vulnerable and an airport safety procedure was implemented as a way to ensure the safety of the United States. The implemented procedures over the years included a check and scan of all carry on and checked baggage, body scans, hire government airport employees, and a strict list of carry-on items. This made travelers feel safer as it decreased the ability of terrorist to commit
September 11, 2001 marked the most horrific day in history for United States of America. The events of this day changed the lives of those residing in America forever. United States was considered somewhat safe, in regards to terrorists’ attacks. However, this all came to a screeching halt when 19 militants known to be a part of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked four planes for the purpose of destroying targeted areas in the United States. As a result of the deadly attack on the United States, security measures drastically changed. Although, security measures throughout the United States have been in place, extreme caution came into effect. All departments looked at different measures to improve preventing terrorists’ attacks.
additions to airport security in the United States following the attacks of September 11, 2001, is