Running Head: U.S.

POLICY AND STRATEGY IN AVIATION 1

Airport and Aviation Security: U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism

Book Report

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract
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Airport and aviation security are one of the most important economic infrastructures in the world

today. The attacks on September 11th, 2001, were a wakeup call to many that we are not safe in

this dynamic world. International terrorism is a serious threat and prior to that many slept

without any care of the threats that were out there. By evaluating and managing security risks

while using intelligence and counter terrorism information, passenger screening methods and in-

flight security measures have been adapted to combat the rising threats. This book report covers

some of the strategies and policies following the attacks on 9/11 that have been given emphasis

in an attempt to keep our skies and airports safer.

Keywords: Terrorism, threats, security, control, attack

U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism

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The attacks of 9/11 caught the US and the world completely off guard as to the

capabilities and sophistication of terrorists and their ability to perform a calculated and

coordinated attack on such a large scale. As Elias (2010) states, “existing policies and strategies

for aviation security in the United States were put in the spotlight, focusing on why the United

States was so unprepared to defend against such an attack and how to strengthen aviation and

homeland security to prevent future terrorist attacks” (p. xvii). As a result of these attacks the

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created. Additionally elaborate security systems

and extensive security measures were implemented to airports in an effort to improve security

and rebuilt the trust that was broken with the public in regards to air travel. This book report will

cover and summarize the main points of the text written by Bartholomew Elias in regards to

airport and aviation security changes of pre-post 9/11. Elias is a specialist in aviation policy for

the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) in Washington D.C. and offers excellent research

and analysis of US aviation policies.

Pre 9/11 Terrorism

The book starts with a brief recollection of terrorism in the aviation sector which dates

back to the 1960’s. Elias explains the significance of how much deadlier aviation attacks have

been over conventional terrorist attacks. To show this comparison, Elias (2010) makes a very

interesting statement, “Among the attacks against aviation, the average number of American

fatalities per event was 12.2. In comparison, among the 155 attacks against non-aviation targets,

the average number of American fatalities per attack across all of the other categories of targets

was less than 3 per event” (p.1). However the author explains not all hijackings resulted in death

and many were done for ransom. The early 1970’s had a spike in ransom hijackings, one of the
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most famous being that of D.B. Cooper, an individual that hijacked a Boeing 727 and parachuted

his way out. As a result of the alarmingly high hijacking incidence that was occurring in the US

during the 1970’s, President Nixon unveiled a plan to prevent these crimes. Elias (2010) states,

“this new plan laid the groundwork for the US policy and strategy for aviation security” (p.5).

Among these was the sky marshal program (which still exists today) and new electronic

screening technologies. According to Elias (2010), the FAA focused on methods designed to

pick out potential hijackers (p.10). The pre 9/11 era had many debates relating to the passenger

screening process, aviation security roles and responsibilities and aircraft bombings.

Technological changes such as liquid and plastic explosives changed the focus of many experts

from hijacking to bomb detection. Also, Elias (2010) mentions the first incidences of aircraft in

the US being used a kinetic weapons pre dating the attacks of 9/11(p. 23).

9/11 Attacks

The author mentions that due to the FAA’s focus on detection of explosive devices, the

hijackings on 9/11 were made easier due to lack of concern of domestic hijackings with

conventional/unconventional weapons. Airline passenger screening methods were still very

random and not everyone was checked. The author (2010) notes that “On December 4, 1998, the

CIA included in its Presidential Daily Brief intelligence analysis of information received from a

friendly government, warning of a possible al Qaeda hijacking within the United States” (p.46).

This build up along with other threats were warning signs of the looming attack. Due to the lack

of communication, complexity and abstract nature of the attacks, the North American Aerospace

Defense (NORAD) Command was unable to intercept any of the threats in defense of their
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targets. In the days following the attacks, an aircraft security response team was assembled to

provide short term immediate fixes and solutions. Elias (2010) states:

With regard to screening procedures, the team recommended that all persons, including

airline employees and crews, and their carry-on items be screened at an approved

screening checkpoint at all airport terminals with scheduled commercial air carrier

service. It recommended the implementation of improved processes for checkpoint

screening, limiting each passenger to one carry-on item, and allowing only ticketed

airline passengers and authorized personnel to pass through airport screening

checkpoints. (p. 52)

These were only some of the many solutions discussed further in the report and Congressional

response on the matter was also pending. The debate of expanding federal involvement in

aviation security operations was ongoing. Elias (2010) mentions 2 main issues being discussed,

“1) what should the extent of the federal role in security screening operations be? and 2) which

federal agency should have responsibility for screening functions?” (p. 58). These questions led

to the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in November 2001, a

new organization within DOT created by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (Elias,

2010). Furthermore, the book talks about the Homeland Security Act of 2002 enacted by the

president and congress. This act established the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program,

and most importantly it reorganized government agencies under the creation of the Department

of Homeland Defense (DHS). After the pass of this act TSA now operated as an entity of DHS

maintaining aviation security oversight and passenger/baggage screening.

Recommendations, Policies and Strategies

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Following the creation of DHS, the strategies and policies to improve aviation security

have been significant and endless. Constant scrutiny is given to areas of concern and

vulnerability. The 9/11 Commission has been making recommendations to strengthen aviation

security and counter terrorism (Elias, 2010). Enhanced passenger and employee screening of

100% of individuals, improvised explosive device (IED) detection systems, human interaction

and behavioral training, and deployment of hardened containers are some of these strategies.

Elias (2010) explains that in 2006 the National Aviation Security Policy called for the DHS to

serve as the focal entity for managing and coordinating border and transportation security

initiatives for the homeland and abroad (p. 102). Additionally, Elias (2010) states, “ This

National Aviation Security Policy also involves matters concerning the DOD, the Department of

State, the DOJ, and a variety of other federal, state, and local agencies and private entities, and

relies on close coordination with and continued cooperation from other nations” (p. 102). This

policy is critical to the global stability and aviation growth interests of the US at home and

abroad preventing terrorist acts and other hostile actions against aviation. The coordination and

communication efforts of these agencies has allowed for an improved response to threats even

with international partners. Elias (2010) also talks about risk assessment methods used to

evaluate and manage security risks (p. 133). Within this is the use of James Reason’s Swiss

cheese model representing the gaps and weaknesses in the various layers of systems. Also

covered in the text are the exploitation of intelligence and counter terror information to prevent

attacks. These operations as explained are primarily conducted by the Central Intelligence

Agency (CIA), Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), National

Security Agency (NSA), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and the Department of Defense

(DOD). The TSA however, also plays a role in security intelligence as it works closely with the
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intelligence community to further analyze and disseminate, as appropriate, intelligence

information related to threats and vulnerabilities to aviation and other transportation modes

(Elias, 2010). Terrorist watch lists and prescreening systems have allowed many individuals to

be captured by officials due to international cooperation of governments sharing information on

potential threats. The book also talks about other areas such as airline in-flight security measures,

perimeter security and access control, air cargo security and security for general aviation

operations.

Conclusion

Bartholomew Elias does a great job of going in depth in the many passages of acts,

policies, and strategies that have shaped the aviation security world as it stands. The content of

this book as related to US policy and strategy and aviation are extensive. This book report only

touches on the most significant strategies and actual reading of the text is necessary to

understand the scope to which the events of 9/11 changed airport and aviation security. From pre

9/11 history to post 9/11 changes, this book has it all. In retrospect, it is truly disturbing how the

terrorist hijackings of 9/11 were allowed to happen. How terrorists were able to get through so

many loopholes in the law enforcement community and aviation security, it could be said was

only a matter of time. Organizations such as TSA and DHS along with others have a significant

impact in aviation security and will hopefully continue to evolve to meet dynamic threats. This

book has a lifetime worth of knowledge and shows why Elias is a specialist in aviation policy for

the US CRS.
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References

Elias, B. (2010). Airport and aviation security: U.S. policy and strategy in the age of global

terrorism. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Retrieved from

http://www.crcnetbase.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/doi/book/10.1201/9781420070309