Insecurity :: The American Critic

Insecurity

by Sarah88
December 5th, 2007 at 6:25 PM
Filed under: Travel

After September 11, 2001, the United States was forced to examine its national security and in particular airport security. Knowing that terrorists could get through our airports without being intercepted terrified the country. In response, the U.S. spent billions of dollars in an attempt to tighten airport security. While changes were made, reports show that airports are not really much safer. The United States needs to take every step necessary to insure that people fly safely. Some may argue that having more security in airports means an invasion of privacy and even more inconvenience. However, I believe that the safety of flyers is worth some sacrifices. The current airport security is not sufficient, and if we do not do everything we can to increase security, we risk another attack.
The security system in our airports is somewhat decent, as it has prevented some dangerous situations; however, it is lacking components that could greatly improve overall safety. As of now, security at most airports includes layers of protection, starting with outside security such as fences, barriers, guard stations, and security cameras. Regulations for parked cars prevent people from detonating bombs near the terminals. Once inside the airport, there are identification or passport checks, metal detectors, and X-ray machines for both carry-on items and checked luggage. When a person is acting suspiciously, an airport may a use CT scanner (which is like an X-ray machine, but more efficient and slower) or dogs that are trained to sniff out bombs. Rules prohibiting certain carry-on items and the occasional air marshal are security the precautions in place for once you are on the plane. In addition, background checks are required for all airport employees, insuring potentially dangerous people are not hired. These measures are all needed; however, the fact of the matter is these procedures are not strong enough on their own.
Airports are unsafe, and it should not take another attack for the people and government of the U.S. to realize that. Recent tests give all the necessary proof. A 2004 report by the Government Accountability Office shows there are difficulties in fully staffing screening checkpoints, which could lead to inefficiencies in airport security. In addition, a 2002 investigation by the Department of Homeland Securityâ��s inspector general found that during an eight-month period, 753 cases of air marshal transgression occurred, including sleeping and being drunk while on the job. According to security experts, many threats are ignored. For example, many baggage handlers, mechanics, and other technicians are not screened or searched. This means that people with access to airplanes could get away with coming to work with explosives, and nothing is being done about it. One of the most shocking instances of airport security failure was when undercover investigators smuggled all the necessary parts to a bomb onto airplanes. The smuggled parts include a detonator, liquid explosives, and liquid incendiary components. According to the report, screening officers seemed to be following the proper procedure and using the appropriate technology in most cases, however they still failed to intercept the bomb. In a similar test with similar results performed by internal TSA investigators in 2006, screeners missed seventy-five percent of simulated explosives and bomb parts hidden under investigatorsâ�� clothes or in carry-on bags at the Los Angeles International Airport, sixty-five percent at Chicago Oâ��Hare International Airport, and twenty percent at San Francisco International Airport. These statistics are deplorable and need to be improved drastically. San Francisco did a decent job at intercepting the explosives in comparison to Los Angeles and Chicago; however, twenty percent should not be acceptable. All it takes is one bomb to pass through and lives are likely to be lost.
Though we have poured so much money into airport security, there is still so much more we need to improve. One precaution we could implement is the use of biometrics for both crew and passengers. A biometric system would check fingerprints, retinas, or facial patterns. This would insure that people are who they say they are, and it would tell if a person is on a potential terrorist list. The crew would also need to be checked before entering secure areas. To improve flight safety, it is unacceptable that air marshals are drunk or sleeping while on duty. Besides cracking down on air marshals, they need to be on more flights. As of now, air marshals are only on five percent of flights in the United States. It should be that when one gets on a flight, chances are, an air marshal is on the plane. In addition to a biometric system, the Silicon Valley Task Force suggests airports adopt improved video monitoring, better airport communications, and more security checkpoints. Most importantly, these procedures, those that are in place and those I have proposed, must be strictly enforced. If they are not stringent and compulsory, then they will not be effective in protecting flyers.
Some people may be against putting in new security measures and enforcing both new and old for a few reasons: inconvenience, invasion of privacy and costs. It is in my opinion that no amount of time or money is worth risking lives. I am willing to stand in line, have my bags thoroughly checked, and pay money if that will help to prevent another terrorist attack. People should be willing to make sacrifices for safety, otherwise people may be sacrificed for convenience. I think people do not realize how necessary it is. There are people all over the world who dislike the United States and want to hurt us. If there is something we can do to prevent another September 11, then we should. The army is overseas risking their lives for our freedom and safety, and sometimes we civilians have to make sacrifices and do our part as well.
Reforms are necessary in airports if people want to be confident that they are flying safely. Our airports are still vulnerable to terrorist attacks, even with the current security system. There have been numerous reports after September 11, 2001 that show our airport security is insufficient. Many improvements could be made to the security of our airports, and it is important that they be strictly enforced. There is no reason we should take this issue lightly, as it is our own lives at risk.