Airport security has been one of the hottest domestic topics of the past decade for the U.S. Controversey can be found in just about every corner. The 9/11 terrorist attacks forever changed the way airlines would operate when conducting security. What used to be a going-through-the-motions ordeal has transformed into hour-long lines where even a small bottle of water can get you into significant trouble. Because of these measures, the American public expects airports to be near perfect in preventing illegal items on our airplanes.
Any time there is even a minor mistake the television industry is quick to report. Because the public remains sensitive to potential terrorist threats, they are very likely to tune in when a security blunder occurs. Let’s face it: there is no benefit to report on print that the JFK Airport had a successful day in preventing any threats from making it onto a plane.
When we expect perfection, there is no way for these airport security teams to win. While it is of considerable importance to keep these planes safe, it would be great of television to, perhaps, take a step back. It already takes an enormous amount of technology and manpower to bring security to the level it is today, which equals to quite a price tag. Until there is another breakthrough in scanning technology, you still have to account for rare cases of human error.