After the terrorist attacks on September 11-2001 airlines and airports all over the world have improved their security systems to prevent a recurrance of such happenings again.Airlines have installed toughened ,bullet-free cockpit doors with access codes and banned sharp objects from being carried in hand luggage.Airports too,have strengthened their security systems for screening passengers.But how really safe are the post september 11 secuirity measures taken by the airlines and airports?
After the attacks which were carried out using box cutters and mace,airlines prohibited passengers from taking any sharp objects on board,including sissors,shaving razors and sometime even pens.They also banned the use of metal cutlery on board,leaving all passengers ,including the ones in business class ,with cheap plastic knives and forks to tackle the airline meals with.
Then at a certain point they liberalized their strict rules and allowed some items prevented earlier on board again.Still metal knives were not allowed in the passenger’s hand luggage but allowed them to use metal cutlery handed by the cabin crew to enjoy their meals on the flight.
At airports ,security became too tight that even hand luggage were prohibited on board by some airlines.Passengers had to take off their jewellery when passing through the “very sensitive” metal detectors installed.When a suspected terrorist was caught with a bomb hidden away in the heel of his shoe,passengers were since made to take off their shoes and pass through an x-ray machine as well.
And yet amidst all the tightened security many major airports still lack a fudamental safety net.Only a few major airports screen passengers upon entering the terminal building.At most airports it is still possible to walk into the terminal,into the check-in area and sometimes right up till the gates area without being screened at all.While security measures are being taken to prevent bombs being carried on board,it is often easy to get a bomb into the airport.The consequences of an explosion inside a passenger terminal could be devastating,even more so than with blowing up an airliner.
The conclusion is that there is still a long way to go before making air travel,both in the air and on the ground compltely safe and “terrorism-proof” Unfortunately,a major incident has to occcur before adequate security measures are taken,but still some more,and often simple precautions could make the world a lot safer.
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