1. Airport Security Essay
After the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States has increased its efforts in protecting its airports. At that time, "the
security scanners already in place in most airports included baggage x–rays, metal detectors, and chemical residue detectors, which help security staff
search out illegal items that a passenger might have" (DiLascio). These security scanners unfortunately failed in their job. Since then, the
Transportation Security Administration has been keeping American airports safe using the latest technology. Airports have now been fitted with
high–tech body scanners rather than the archaic metal detectors that only detect metal objects. During the past few years, individuals have attacked the
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"'We are frequently reminded that our enemy is creative and willing to go to great lengths to evade detection,' the director of the TSA, Kosketz said.
'TSA utilizes the latest intelligence to inform the deployment of new technology and procedures, like the pat–down, in order to stay ahead of evolving
threats'" ("Mad as Hell").
After the terrorist attacks the Transportation Security Administration has introduced new and advanced technology, called Backscatter technology, to
airports. Before the Backscatter, commonly called a full–body scanner, was introduced into the equation the metal detector was the main instrument in
finding illegal objects. However, this tool was only useful in finding metal objects. The Backscatter technology has made the metal detector obsolete
because it finds any illegal object or substance that may be concealed under clothes. "One of the most effective additions to airport security in the
United States following the attacks of September 11, 2001, is the full–body scanner. Whereas metal detectors are only useful for locating guns, knives,
and metallic weapons, full–body scanners look beneath the clothes, locating weapons and substances that are heavily concealed and not visible under a
metal detector" (Auerbach). In order for the
Backscatter technology to work, it has to emit a small dose of radiation. This is where the argument about heath risks comes in. "Backscatter technology
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2. Airport Security
In this essay, I will attempt to argue that TSA serves as a mechanism for the government to frame the nature of the debate on privacy, in a way that is
beneficial to them. To do this I will first argue that airport security and the TSA are objectively ineffective and merely creates the illusion of privacy.
Despite not actually protecting us, the system of airplane security, conditions individuals in the general public to be willing to make sacrifices in
privacy for a perceived "greater good" in community safety. This viewpoint of individuals sacrificing a little privacy for the well–being of society is
the essentially the same "nothing to hide" argument that the government uses to justify mass surveillance and the violation of...show more content...
This is problematic because it is frighteningly easy to make mistakes, and nearly impossible to catch a suspect. In fact, some security experts suspect
that the TSA has never once caught a terrorist at a checkpoint. A natural byproduct of a one checkpoint system is massive lines. It is widely accepted
both in the intelligence community and popular culture that terrorists seek out crowds because they can inflict the most damage. This is disturbingly
ironic; as in an attempt to prevent us against terrorism, the TSA conveniently packs hundreds of travels together in cramped security lines, creating a
clear terrorist target. Therefore, technically terrorists don't even need to get through security in order to make an attack. All of these structural flaws in
the American airplane security system or TSA, point to the conclusion, that the massive TSA system merely creates the appearance of protection. In
the last paragraph, I have attempted to show how the TSA creates a guise of protection while doing very little to prevent terrorism. However, despite
doing very little to protect us, the TSA profoundly impacts the parameters for how the debate around how privacy is defined. In fact, the government
uses systems like the TSA to control the narrative around privacy. In the current system of airport security, innocent citizens, are
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3. Airport Security
With air traffic set to double in the next 20 years, chances are you will choose air travel as a possible method of transportation at some point in
your future lifetime (Owram). For some, the task of flying comes easily after having done it so many times, while for others, it can be a real hassle.
It seems like just about anyone that has flown enough has at least one horror story about their flying experience. In the summer before her senior
year, my sister, Kimberly, traveled across Europe for a band trip. She said that security stopped her at every airport for additional screening because
they believed that her flute might contain a pipe bomb. The most memorable stop of Kimberly's trip was at the Berlin Schönefeld Airport in Germany.
She...show more content...
The Israeli government takes airport security very seriously because of the fact that "no country in the world faces more terrorist threats than Israel"
(Wagner). They use extreme methods of screening that requires all vehicles to be checked and extensive interviews to be done for all departing
passengers. Even though the process may seem excessive, "the range of methods employed at Ben Gurion has proven to be extremely effective in
preventing terrorist attacks" according to Ben Wagner, CEO of Country Risk
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4. Airport Security
The article "TSA Sends Site Survey Teams to 33 Additional Airports" published on US Newswire discussed the increase in security at airports.
Published on August 12, 2002, the report discussed both the new Transportation Security Administration policies and how the policies would help
create safer airports and planes. This article was published nearly a year after September 11, 2001 attack. It explained the new baggage screening,
checkpoints, and explosion detector equipment. The new security devices were to start being installed the week of August 12, 2002. Airports not only
had new machines installed, but also had new teams hired. Therefore, the installation and operation of TSA equipment had begun in 33 American
airports. I found it incredible how much America developed airports in less than a year....show more content...
My sister was born five months before 9/11, and I was born 11 months after. Both my grandparents and I have flown across the country to see each
other since I was a baby. It is absurd to me that my family flew to places before these security measures were placed not only because the chance that
they could have been the ones on the plane, but also because I have grown up with these security regulations. Currently, I believe my family is safe
flying with today's Transportation Security Administrationsecurity and screening technology.
In addition, when I first discovered the article "TSA Sends Site Survey Teams to 33 Additional Airports," I thought that 33 airports were so few
compared to the widely–used screening technology today. On August 12, 2002, survey teams were sent out to the 33 airports, and even more
technology was to be added by the end of that year. The security added in August consisted of three steps: baggage screening and checkpoints,
employing and training teams to operate the new screening technology, and being approved by the TSA
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