The Problematic Use of Full-Body Scanners and Other Security Measures at Airports

In certain parts of the world, a retinal scanner was added at the security area. A passenger could go through a different security line and allow the scanner to read their eyes and be sent through without being searched, taking off shoes and coats or even removing their computers from their bags. In order to be able to receive this luxurious security check, a person would have to send in extensive forms to the government. These forms would tell the government everything about the person in order to do the extensive background check. And this takes time as well. You cannot expect for this to happen overnight. Not only does this take time and extensive checks, but it also costs money. It will cost someone about a hundred dollars to be even considered for this security check. The retinal scanner is not used in all airports. Most of them are actually located outside the

Airport security in the post 9/11 era is designed to create the illusion of safety, without actually protecting us from terrorism. It is important to recognize, that the TSA is incredibly ineffective, at preventing prohibited items from getting past its gates. In a recent test at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, undercover federal agents successful snuck in 95 percent of explosive materials, fake weapons and drugs. While this failure rate is certainly alarmingly high it is by no way unique. In a similar, but slightly broader Homeland Security investigation, the TSA failed 67 out of 70 tests conducted by the department’s Red Team across a variety of cities. Furthermore, the layout of security at airports is incredible ineffective. According to renowned security expert, Rafi Sela, “security should happen in rings, so different teams can check each other’s work.” However, in American Airports the only place that security happens is at one checkpoint.

As mentioned above, another reason the security in airports was so shoddy was that the x-ray machines and metal detectors that were being used were very out of date “the metal detectors were last replaced in 1995”(Hiltzik 1). These security tools were so outdated that some of them didn’t even register certain metals such as Aluminium and Titanium (Hiltzik 1). This means that someone could easily conceal a weapon in their pants or shoes if the weapon was made out any of these materials.

Airport racial profiling, Osama Bin Laden, Middle East Asian, Muslims, 9/11, metal detectors, racial profiling and hijacking” Do these words and phrases sound familiar? It is likely most of us have been at least tried once in our lifetime going through the security checking process at the airport. Do people find this inconvenient or it is beneficial to everyone’s safety? However, this security checking process is not too convenient for particular targeted group, which are the Muslims. In this paper, the main focus is to discuss about terrorism and the related anti-terrorism measures, such as racial profiling; and how do these policy affect the targeted group. After the terrific 9/11 attacks, every country has strengthened their own

A visual posted in chapter 7 for the article titled “Is America Safer Now Than Before 9/11” Illustrating current day airport security checkpoints (PA 700). This visual makes multiply bold statements about our current airport security. The image is of multiple security checkpoints at a current day airport, first passport validation check and a personal identity confirmation with the same transportation security administration officer (TSA). Then passengers proceed to unload all of their belongings into a bin to be x-rayed and analyzed by another TSA officer, simultaneous the passengers luggage is also being x-rayed. The line of passengers then winds over to another TSA officer where passengers get manually scanned

Airport Security was first developed in 1970 in New Orleans. The New Orleans International Airport was the first to require metal detectors for flier’s safety. On November 10, 1972 there was a high jacking incident and resulted in airport screening for all carry-on bags and passengers. Following the next two years, congress passed the Air Transportation Security Act which is regarded that all carry-on bags in United States airports are to be screened but only to search for weapons or explosives. On December 21, 1988 a second explosive incident occurred in Scotland resulting in many casualties. The U.S. reacted quickly enforcing to have all checked luggage screened through the x-ray detector. After 9/11, all objects with a blade

After the devastating terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11th, TSA (Transportation Security Administration) was created and have since then beefed up their security. Because of all the new security devices and rules taking place now, the wait time at in the security line is longer, but for a good reason. On an average day, TSA screens 1.1 million bags. Of those 1.1 million bags, around 50,000 of them have to be checked thoroughly due to suspicious items inside the bags. The wait time at airport security lines has increased because of new threats. Because of an increase in the wait time at the security line, some people find it very frustrating and think that all the precautions are unnecessary. Those people are wrong though. In the past years since TSA was created, multiple bomber attacks have been attempted but have yet to succeed due to TSA keeping up with its safety requirements. In 2010, TSA started to use full body scanners. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea that when going through the body scanners, they are almost viewed completely naked and worry that those photos will be leaked. In Emily Holbrook’s article, Airport Security: privacy vs. safety, she makes an interesting pint when it comes to body scanners by quoting Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who said, ‘” you don’t need to look at my wife and 8-year-old daughter naked in order to secure that airplane”’ (quoted in QTD. Holbrook 14). This is an issue that has been brought to many people when going

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.

It is believed that the CIA was researching two men they found to be suspicious, and watched them purchase weapons and similar clothing before the attack on 9/11 occurred, but failed to relay this information to the FBI and other unsuspecting personnel. These men boarded the plane, despite possessing weapons, and the result was tragic. Today, it is difficult to pass through airport security without passing through multiple check points and being questioned for various items that could be potentially harmful. In personal experience and watching the news, I have seen individuals with a razor for shaving in suitcases when boarding a plane at the airport, or lighters for smoking, and they are almost immediately questioned about it. Airport security and screening has greatly improved since the attack on 9/11. In 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that it confiscated over 13 million prohibited items at airport passenger security checkpoints; 1.6 million were knives and in one week during April 2011, 18 firearms were confiscated (70). Airport security has drastically increased, and it has helped the United States to maintain secure flights for passengers in the years since

The officials at the airports are required to conduct random searches to ensure the safety of the citizens and themselves; however, these searches are not always random. William Raspberry goes over how officials should stay away from exploiting their powers and using more practical precautions like reviewing the passengers lists and enhancing the doors on the planes.

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

Following September 11, 2001, air travelers experienced many changes in airport security procedures. For example, airlines instructed passengers to arrive at airports as much as two hours before takeoff for domestic flights. After passing through security checkpoints, passengers were randomly selected for additional

The country’s recently heightened airport security measures have become a source of controversy and debate across the Nation. Due to a recent attempted act of terrorism, where a man on an international flight to Detroit attempted to blow up the plane using a bomb, the department of homeland security has taken new measures to ensure national security in the form of new high- tech full-body scans and pat down procedures in airports. The new body scanning machines create images of people without their clothing, and the new pat down procedure is generally considered too personal. Many people feel that the new airport security screening is an invasion of privacy. A recent poll by Zogby International

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