Summary: The Transportation Security Administration

The Travel security agency, or the TSA, is an important agency whose job it is to protect our nation in airports and borders. Impressively, the Agency has stopped many weapons, and saved our citizens numerous times. According to several experts however, the TSA has never stopped a terrorist plot. Their methods have been questioned too. As our nation grows deeper and deeper in debt, the TSA is a huge cost that may need to be cut. In order to gain a clear understanding of the TSA, its successes, issues, and cost must be evaluated critically.

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.

As a response to the 9/11 attacks, one would expect that the TSA would improve airport security. In reality, it's just security theater. Originally, the use of metal detectors and luggage x-rays in airport security checkpoints was enough. However, on December 25, 2009, an inbound international

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.

On September 11th of 2001, nineteen militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. During this event, many people lost their lives and any people lost their loved ones. In spite of what had taken place on that horrible day, the events brought out some of the most genuine hearts and minds to work. The events occurring on September 11th was an eye-opener to say the least. These terrorist attacks made airports and airport security more aware and in a way have pushed airports to progress in security. Finding new and smart ways to find dangers and saving innocent people’s lives.

Since the attacks happened on September 11th, airlines and airports have added major security changes and rules to ensure the protection of people around the world. According to business insider.com “Some of the rule changes included a banning of knives on flights, no more curbside check-in, and reinforced cockpit doors; Security costs today are $7.4 billion annually.” Prior to 9/11, those who were hired by airlines were to act like the security machines that are used today in airports. Unfortunately, the people who were hired were often unable to detect various threats on passengers and luggage. These threats could have included: knives, bombs, guns, alcohol, and many more dangerous threats.

This act made luggage and passenger screening standard as pre-flight measure at all airports nationwide. Electronic devices are checked more thoroughly and ticketed passengers are only allowed at gates for safety purposes. Fenced in runways prevent run-ins in addition to the K-9 units and increased security personnel added to airports to insure the safety of passengers. The Early Alert System, created by the Department of Homeland Security, is used to specify the probability and danger level of a terroristic attack. As the threat level increases, so does security. The TSA or Transportation Security Administration was created when the Aviation and Transportation Act was passed. The TSA supervises sea and air security operation, putting Aircraft and Airline security as their top priority. At an airport items such as luggage, electronics and passengers themselves are checked by a uniformed TSA agent at security checkpoints. Some TSA employees work in the shadows and make danger lists to detain those who look similar to security threat lists. On Christmas Day in 2009, a failed bombing took place where a man was wearing underwear strapped with bombs that didn’t detonate. This called for new measure of technology to improve scanners. Millimeter wave imaging emit microwaves into two transmitters which send energy through the passengers clothing as

After 9/11/2001, things took place to help prevent any terrorist being able to use planes as a way of causing terrorist acts. After 9/11/2001 in November 2001, Transportation Security Administration was formed and the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was put into law. This act required screening that was going to be conducted by federal officials. TSA was to oversee all ways of transportation in the US. This is one way

Following the attacks of 9/11 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented ample amounts of programs that bolster the overall transportation security environment. For example, the employment of Air Marshals, surface/aviation transportation security inspectors, Behavioral Detection Officers, Transportation Security Officers, local law enforcement, security personnel, and even canine teams have been introduced to enhance detection capabilities (Forest & Howard, 2013). More importantly, improving screening protocols for checked luggage, carryon items, and cargo screenings were all vital developments. In order to properly screen all previously mentioned items, increased funding for enhancing security technology systems was a priority (Forest & Howard, 2013). For example, TSA uses various x-ray devices to provide advanced imaging technology to screen for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing (Forest & Howard, 2013). All of which, allow mass transits infrastructure such as airports to mitigate potential

As we already know that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in 2002 as a result of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Transport Security Administration is one of the agencies within the DHS tasked to provide security especially in the Nation’s Transportation Systems. TSA came into existence when congress enacted the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), which gives “TSA regulatory authority and responsibility for security over all transportation modes” (Department of Homeland Security, 2007). The Nation’s transportation systems comprises of aviation sector, Maritime sector, mass transit and passenger rail, Highways and motor carriers, Freight Rail, Pipelines, commercial vehicles, etc. (Mayenschein, 2015). Each

To this day many are still shaken by the impact of the atrocity and crimes committed on September 11, 2001. In order to help enforce aviation laws and regulations and secure passengers, the Government has taken extra measures to ensure increased safety against such acts of terror. Areas of increased concern include ground security, airport and airplane security as well as passenger safety. New methods of prevention have been introduced such as: Advance Passenger Information; Secure Flight programs; Detection at Ports of

The Bush administration expanded power in matters of national security to define the threat and attack the enemy after September 1, 2001 terror attacks. The attacks of 911 were coordinated carefully which lead to the President signing into legislation the Transportation Security Administration in November 2001, which federalized all security screeners for airports to safeguard national security. During this period the President made it clear what his goals were succeeding the attacks: not permitting terrorist to restrike, the U.S. embarked a new kind of war, and the need to help recover areas affected by terrorist and ensure the economies did not shut down or split society. The focus was to protect the American population at home and deflate

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

Airport security is necessary for the safety and efficiency of airlines today. Attacks involving airlines have been “among the deadliest in terms of human lives and economic impact,” even though relatively few attacks have occurred using airlines compared to other terrorism methods (Szyliowicz, 2011, p.2). Airport Security has been administered using a government-operated system since the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was enacted in 2001. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), now an agency of homeland security, replaced private security measures and personnel with at least 60,000 federal employees (Szyliowicz, 2011). However, privatization may be making a come-back. The following analysis will analyze