Category: Airport

Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 airport security has been a hot topic in the media. The process of checking your bag, examining carry-ons, and passing through the metal detector has become much more than a simple procedure. Many articles in newspapers such as the New York Times criticize the security check processes in airports pointing out some of the ridiculous episodes travelers have encountered with airport security. For example, one reporter explained how he had to make his parrot spread its wings in order to be checked for anything suspicious. He entitled the article “Take Off Your Shoes, and Is the Parrot Loaded?” I came across many articles like this that seemed to ridicule such intense precautions. However, would you rather have a less daunting security inspection with the chance of leaking a terrorist on your flight? Doubtful.
Although airports around the world are cracking down on security by investing in more advanced scanning machines, detectors, etc many of those machines have proven to be less than effective. This does not give airports any more good press, to say the least. The Transportation Security Administration is doing everything in its power to establish an efficient and successful security system for travelers but it seems to be a slow process until they have another wake-up call such as the recent incident of the attempted attack in Detroit.
Preventative measures taken by airports also include racial profiling, which raises much debate that will be discussed in a later blog.