The Golden Age Of Airline Security Is Necessary

Today, airline security is critical in order to insure the safety of passengers and pilots aboard a plane. However, that was not always the case. In the Golden Age of flying, there was simply no security whatsoever. It was common to get to the airport ten or twenty minutes earlier before a flight and they would still make it aboard, whereas today, getting there an hour or two before a flight is suggested, due to the security procedures. This vulnerability slowly increased the likelihood of heinous acts and terrorism, such as the 1970s hijackings, 9/11, and the Christmas Day bomber. Now people are more cautious and some believe the new technology, used for security, is invasive and unnecessary. Airport security, however, is only there to protect,

Facial features are blurred and agents who directly interact with passengers do not see the scans" (para 22). She also writes, "Grass-roots groups are urging travelers either not to fly or to protest by opting out of the full-body scanners and undergoing time-consuming pat-downs instead" (para 24). Rules are put in place in order for the privacy of the scans to be kept safe and out of reach, such as blurring the individual's facial features, leaving them unrecognizable, in which the images are then disposed. TSA agents or other parties do not force people to fly. It is by their own choice to take a plane, therefore, they should abide by the given rules by those of higher authority, who know what is best in these situations. Abiding by rules is a part of anyone's life, so why is it a problem now? Additional airport security cannot see these photos because they are in direct contact with the passenger, again insuring privacy, although movements have taken place to boycott these scanners. Extreme measures have to be taken at times like these, in order to protect this country from

Terrorism occurs all around the world, and because of that, security of airports should be at its maximum. After the Belgium airport bombing, the security debate picked up steam again, specifically in Europe, where the terrorist attack occurred. However, the Belgium bombing was not the first shocking terror. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 struck fear within many people, it being one of the first memorable events caused by a terrorist. This individual, "In violation of security procedures...picked up some Air Malta baggage tags for 'Abdulbset'..." (Wicker 29). In this example, this bomber, worked with the airport. It goes to show how easy it was for this individual to go unnoticed and get the bomb onto the plane. With this said, security should be placed in all parts of the airport and not just for checking passenger luggage, as well as