AIRPORT SECURITY SYSTEM

Airport Security System

Airport Security System

Introduction

Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime. Large numbers of people pass through airports. Such gatherings present a target for terrorism and other forms of crime due to the number of people located in a small area. Similarly, the high concentration of people on large airliners, the potential high lethality rate of attacks on aircraft, and the ability to use a hijacked airplane as a lethal weapon provide an alluring target for terrorism.

Airport security provides a first line of defense by attempting to stop would-be attackers from bringing weapons or bombs into the airport. If they can succeed in this, then the chances of these devices getting on to aircraft are greatly reduced. As such, airport security serves two purposes: To protect the airport from attacks and crime and to protect the aircraft from attack. Monte R. Belger of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration notes "The goal of aviation security is to prevent harm to aircraft, passengers, and crew, as well as support national security and counter-terrorism policy (Virta , 2002).

Airport security has become a major issue within the past few years and with the advanced in technology today, we could make the security even better if the funding of the new technology for airports was not so low. After a couple major lapses in airport security it is definitely an issue that needs to be resolved. The most popular lapse of airport security is the tragedy on 9/11. With the implementation of better and more efficient security, knowing that passengers have the proper devices to take the plans over can prevent future tragedies. Another lapse of airport security was in Miami, Florida when a passenger claimed to have a bomb and was shot and killed by air marshals. This incident could have been prevented with the proper security. If the airport would have had proper technology security then could have been assured that the man did not have a bomb and claimed that he was mentally disturbed and it could have saved the air marshals from having to kill the man (Sultan , 2000 ).

The solutions currently proposed by the Transportation Security Administration are quite costly for the airlines. While the airlines are all in major debt and on the verge of bankruptcy there must be different security measures to implement or help by the government (McFadden, 1981 ). The Transportation Security Administration wants to implement smart cards that will help with international travelers and the pilot's fast track through security, these passengers would skip the routine customs questioning and instead use special kiosks to present their passports and have their identities confirmed. Another proposal is to get rid of pat downs; they are in the process of implementing explosives trace detection portals. These machines aim puffs of air at passengers to dislodge and sniff out explosive residue. The also have another machine called X-ray backscatter portals, which use X-rays to create an image ...