Running head: AIRPORT SECURITY 1

Airport Security before and after September 11 Attacks

Name

Institutional affiliation
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Airport Security before and after the September 11 Attacks

Since the September 11, 2001 terror attack, the government has invested heavily in

transforming the transport security, particularly public safety at the airports. Even though these

enhancements are costly, the significance of these changes is challenged by the evolving nature

of terror attacks well as the multiple security breaches experienced in recent years.

Prior to the September 11 incident, airport security and screening was handled by private

contractors. The TSA, which currently handles passenger screening, was established two months

after the disaster. Under the Aviation and Transport Security Act, the federal government was

charged with the responsibility to take charge of the airport screening role (O’Connor, 2016).

The TSA embarked on recruiting, training and deploying close to 60,000 new personnel, making

it one of the agency’s largest mobilizations.

Today, the TSA officers are responsible for overseeing security on all transport systems

and not just air travel. They inspect the passenger luggage for outlawed items and screen

passengers as well as a lookout for suspicious conduct. The TSA also deployed explosive

detection systems across the nation’s major airports (Seaney, 2019). In the years after the

establishment of TSA, more equipment such as the full-body scanner were also installed at

airports (Ross, Patel & Cole, 2011). Airlines have upgraded the security of the cockpit through

fortified doors and deployment of armed marshals. The measures have minimized the chances of

another hijacking.

Before the attacks, travellers were allowed to carry blades measuring less than four

inches. Other objects such as baseball bats, darts as well as scissors were not considered a threat

and passengers were allowed to board the plane carrying those items (Ross et al., 2011).
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Moreover, at the time, there were no robust metal detectors; thus, most local laws assumed that

such items would be difficult to detect.

Some items were banned later after new threats started to emerge. For instance, in 2006,

the TSA imposed a ban on passengers carrying liquids. The move was made following an

attempt by terrorists to detonate liquid bombs on board flights from the United Kingdom to the

United States (O’Connor, 2016). However, the regulation was lessened, and passengers were

permitted to carry liquids in containers not exceeding 3.4 ounces in a clear and resealable plastic

bag. All luggage, including the carry-on bags, have to be screened. Passengers are also required

to take out items such as toiletries and laptops (O’Connor, 2016). Passengers have to remove

outer attire, such as jackets and coats.

The events of September 11 also brought an end to the culture of passengers bringing

their family members and friends through security for a final farewell at the get or to receive

upon arrival. Only passengers with tickets are allowed beyond the airline gate areas (O’Connor,

2016). Moreover, passengers are now expected to be at the security check hours earlier than

before. Passengers for international flights must report at the gates three hours before departures,

whereas those for domestic flights have to report at least one hour before departure.

Part of the post-September 11 overhaul was aimed at gathering better intelligence as well

as advanced pre-screening to distinguish the known travellers from those who may need

thorough scrutiny. The TSA published another confidential list of behavior that the agents use to

identify potential terrorists and plane hijackers (Ross et al., 2011). The manual is based on

behavioral traits learned from past offenders. The behaviors that the agents look out for include

excessive yawning, widely starring eyes as well as wringing of hands.

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The TSA security regulations stipulate that all passengers must go through the security

checkpoints before heading to the gates. The directive brought the challenge of long queues at

security. However, in 2011, the TSA established a PreCheck program that is aimed at allowing

travelers to register early for a faster security experience at the gates (Seaney, 2019). The

PreCheck program offers additional advantages because members do not have to remove their

laptops and toiletries or take off their shoes during screening.

Terrorists seem to adapt faster, and they have shifted their threats to other areas such as

arrival areas and check-in lobbies that are less secure. Most of the crucial changes implemented

after September 11 happened in response to failed terror attacks that had evaded airport security,

whether in the US or in the international destinations (Seaney, 2019). The 2015 attack in

Brussels airport is proof of how the terrorists have evolved with the changes in security. In-flight

bombing is still a threat to air travel because not all nations have cutting edge screening

technologies. Airports also need to address the long waits at checkpoints that cause passengers to

miss flights.

The future of airport security will be marked by sophisticated screening technologies and

easing on most regulations. New technologies can help to address the issue of long queues at

checkpoints. At the same time, security experts argue that security measures should be flexible to

project new approaches that terrorists can use to attack. The TSA administrators should address

the issue of “imagination” so as to determine potential ways that future terrorists may employ.
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References

Ross, B., Patel, A. & Cole, M. (2011, September 7). 10 Years Later: 9/11 Security Then and

Now. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/10-years-911-security-now/story?

id=14466068

O’Connor, L. (2016, September 11). This Is What It Was Like To Go To The Airport Before

9/11. Huffpost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/airports-before-

911_n_57c85e17e4b078581f11a133

Seaney, R. (2019, December 20). 9 Ways Airport Security Changed Since 9/11 & How Airport

Security Has Changed Since 9/11. https://www.farecompare.com/travel-advice/9-ways-

security-has-changed-since-911/