Does Airport Security Make Us Safer?

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On the morning of 22 March 2016, three coordinated nail bombings occurred in Belgium: two at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and one at Maalbeek metro station in Brussels. In these attacks, 32 victims and three suicide bombers were killed, and over 300 people were injured. Another bomb was found during a search of the airport. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks.[1]

1. "Another bomb found in Brussels after attacks kill at least 34; Islamic State claims responsibility". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 March 2016.

It has become a regular part of air travel, the common airline passenger expects to have to undergo certain screenings before they ever board an aircraft. The procedure of removing shoes, jackets, belts, laptops, etc. has become a regular occurrence and most people feel a feeling of security because these precautions are taken with every passenger. But are travelers as safe as they feel?

Airports are broken into five areas of security, the Public area, Sterile, SIDA (Secure Identification Display Area), Air operations Area, and Secure. The common thoughts about security breaches at an airport are those of someone getting through the sterile area, this area is where individuals are screened prior to getting to the aircraft gates. The reason for this perception stems from the attacks on the morning of September 11th 2001, where nineteen hijackers made it through security screening and on to four aircraft leading into the worst loss of life due to terrorism in the history of the United States. However, this paper will focus on the latter security areas through the security precautions taken to try and prevent unauthorized access as well as notable failur...

... middle of paper ...

...13, from http://www.nec-nis.co.jp/en/product/videosecurity/hbacs/

Oliver, B. (2013, February 20). Investigation: Airport security - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com. Investigation: Airport security - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/21290524/investigation-airport-security

Pescador, K., Renga, A., & Gay, P. (2012). N/A. San Diego International Airport, Lindbergh Field (p. 110). s.l.: Arcadia Publishing (SC).

Stereovision. (n.d.). The ultimate in anti-piggybacking technology. Stereovision. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.boonedam.us/securityaccess/stereovision.asp

Stoller, G. (2011, July 12). Airport security breaches since 2001 raise alarms. USATODAY.COM. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2011/07/Airport-security-breaches-since-2001-raise-alarms/49326312/1

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