Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was brought to Congress to combat future terroirs attacks after 9/11. They implemented safety standards that people still follow to this day. People must have their baggage checked before boarding a plane. Also, the TSA has replaced x-ray full body scanners with new technology (TSA).
September 11 Attacks
As said above on 9/11, terrorists took control over four airplanes. The first set of airplanes crashed into the New York World Trade Center; the third plane crashed into the Pentagon.
Aviation and Transportation Security Act
Additionally, the final plane crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania. Many people were killed; think thousands of people, dead! The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which President George W. Bush (2001-2009) signed on Nov. 2001 would allow for law enforcement to check bags as well as an increase Federal Air Marshall Services to airports. In addition, the use of reinforced, locked doors in the cockpit was introduced. On August 2006, the TSA stated that all passengers needed to remove their shoes to get checked for potential bombs. September that year, TSA launches the “3-1-1 Rule” which only allows for people to have “liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of only 3.4 ounces or less in a single, clear, re-sealable 1-quart plastic bag.” in 2010 (TSA). As of July 2017, new rules for tighter security purposes regarding the use of private computers were established. According to the Transportation Security timeline, in 2018 TSA is now implementing new, stronger domestic screening procedures for carry – on (TSA).
Future Security Technology
Moreover, in the article “Tomorrow’s Checkpoint” by Aaron Karp and Mark Nensel, it is discussed that new technology is being looked for to increase security functions and processes (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 16). “CT MACHINES on the next generation 3-D checkpoint scanning machines that are being tested for future use at airports in the US and around the world” (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 17).
Improving Airport Checkpoints
Not to mention, “Slow-moving or gathering of passengers is a major risk. That means that the standard passenger screening checkpoint has become commonplace and airports since 9/11 are itself a potential security risk” (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 16). New idea free-flowing checkpoint instead of having points to stop you can have a constant motion to your airplane. People would be free to move at their own pace rather than having to be told to move forward by security personnel. An advanced algorithm is to be used to determine how much security measures are needed on a soon to be a passenger. After that person is checked, they will be given a digital notice. They would have to move to a certain decimated spot to get their bags checked out. Plus, an individual could move on to their plane without needing to check in before the flight.
Implementation of New Technologies
In the future, technologies that are available today could be used if they had the proper trials and refined ideas. According to Mark Laustra, VP-global business development and government relations for Analogic, in the article tomorrow’s Checkpoint, TSA could regulate airports using the new technology allowing for set standards all across the United States (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 16). Analogic, a Boston based company, has also developed computerized tomography (CT) to scan carry-on bags at checkpoints. A graphic image resembling a bottle could be a potential threat! By scan, the bag the machine can determine whether it's a threat to be removed. This, in turn, eliminates removing manually searching through the luggage. If the bag is good, the bag will simply pass through CT without a hassle. One's time will be saved, and the airport's revenue would have increased (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 17). There would be fewer amounts of police needed. More police could patrol or be used for other areas of concern in an airport.
Enhancing Airline Security
Going on, TSA wants to "further Strengthen" Security for the airline community. With "state-of-the-art" equipment (TSA). By using automated target-recognition software, which uses yellow squares to alert an officer of any potential danger. As the people pass by they are represented on the screen as "cookie-cutter" images (TSA). The officer then will know exactly where to look to retrieve the object. If the value is false, meaning no threats, then a green screen will appear to show that all is clear. The passenger can then, move on to their plane. "AIT technology is designed to enhance security by safely screening passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats- including weapons, explosives and other objects concealed under layers of clothing," Written by Bart Johnson (North Country Airports). An upstate New York federal security director. The new tech will make the airlines safer.
Safe CT Technology
Furthermore, The CT is safe according to national and international health and safety standards. The energy released on a millimeter wave is about 1,000 times less than the international limits and guidelines (North Country Airports). The only thing needs to be done now is to further develop the technology so it can be used in many situations, in the future.
Enhanced Passenger Screening
Prior to September 2011, there were limited capabilities regarding passengers screening in the airports putting the lives of many at risks as they fly (Sakano, Kofi and Fuller 129). The current change in the airports has been the introduction of the Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-Screening which is linked with the 'no-fly' government-generated list. The CAPPS system applies to various algorithms to the characteristics of ticket purchasing for passenger risk assessments. Through capability of these systems have been improved and updated to recognize individuals not allowed to fly or suspected terrorists in connection with the government security database.
Terrorist Screening Centre Database
The introduction of the Terrorist Screening Centre Database has improved the security in the airports. This technology is used for screening for individual by the relevant authorities as the central terrorist watch list (Karp, Aaron, and Mark 19). TSCD system intensifies the measures of the identification of the passengers suspected to pose a potential risk through the collection of the passengers' data from the airline which are then transmitted to the government security data on terrorist for confirmation.
Reinforced Baggage Screening
Baggage screening has been reinforced following the explosions of the unaccompanied baggage that caused the Lockerbie crash. The government with the airport authority has resorted to strict baggage screening through Electronic Detective Systems, manual bag searches, bomb-sniffing dogs, and Explosive Trace Detection methods (Sakano, Kofi and Fuller 130). 90% of the luggage screening is done by the Electronic Detective Systems and Explosive Trace Detection with the rest 30% done by manual searches and the sniffing dogs (Sakano, Kofi and Fuller 132).
Advanced Screening Technologies
Swabbing is one of the technologies employed in the security of the airports. Swabbing involves the use of handheld detectors to swab the hands or baggage of an individual by an operator to establish if the person was in contact with explosive materials. After the swab, the collected sample is then analyzed in an automated machine for traces of drugs, residue of explosives or bomb (Sakano, Kofi and Fuller 134). The results are immediately relayed on a screen in the security control room which then sends a digital signal to the operator to allow the passenger or carry further analysis similar to the swabbing mechanism (Sakano, Kofi and Fuller 136). Puffer machines are also being used to detect traces of drugs and explosives in the hair, shoe, clothing, body or baggage. This method dislodges the traces of this samples which are then analyzed like in swabbing.
Ensuring Airport Security
Airport security is the concern of any passenger and the employees at the airports. Through these technologies, the government through the TSA has managed to prevent and keep off numerous terrorist activities in the airports that if successful would have resulted in the loss of human lives in the airports and the air. With the technological advancement in the world, effective and sophisticated technologies will ensure guaranteed security in the airports.
Work cited
KARP, AARON, and Mark Nensel. "Tomorrow's checkpoint: innovations are being sought to make airport check-in and security processes faster and safer." AIR TRANSPORT WORLD (2017).
"North Country Airports get New Screening Technology, Installed by TSA." Business
Journal (Central New York), 10/2/2017 Supplement Section B, p. 2B. EBSCOhost,search .ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true"db=f5h"AN=125892553"site=ehost-live.
Sakano, R., Kofi Obeng, and K. Fuller. "Airport security and screening satisfaction: A case study of US." Journal of Air Transport Management 55 (2016): 129-138.
“TSA Testing New CT Scanner That Could Eventually Ease Restrictions On Liquids, Electronics.” Consumerist, 16 June 2017, consumerist.com/2017/06/16/tsa-testing-new-ct-scanner-that-could-eventually-ease-restrictions-on-liquids-electronics/. vault.fbi.gov/9-11-attacks-investigation-and-related-materials/9-11-images/9-11-pentagon-overhead-1++.
