Like it or not the airline industry has been forced to change after the tragedy of 9-11. We cannot take security lightly and we can never lower our guard because people are trying to kill us. People have gone as far as putting explosives in their shoes and underware. What can we do better to improve security without flying naked? I suggest we create “Security Zones.”
Why do we all need to have access to airplanes and airports? We should change the process to increase security by limiting access to people who are actually flying. This simple act reduces the threat of car bombs and unnessary traffic in the airports. After limiting access, the next step would be to screen the flyers in stages. Provide a security level where passengers are screened for metal and explosives before being transported to the airport. A passenger bus could permit this to happen. Pre-screening before transporting the actual flyer to the airport is a great thing for security. No delays or security breeches in the airport.
With these small steps, the level of security in our airports would drastically increase. Everyone reaching the zone of security would be actually scheduled to fly and pre-screened for explosives and metal objects. In the airport, the passengers could have their carry-on luggage checked extensively. The airport would be safer whereas access is restricted to only the people actually doing business in the airport. Additional security could be built into the system, but just limiting access could speed the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
In short, the design of our airports must change or eventually we will be forced to fly nude. Why should we waste one minute of time testing people with absolutely no business in the airport for security? They have no business being there. Is it more vital for us to be secure than to sell products or trinkets plane-side? Security should trump everything. Airports should be all about the business of security. A small step like “Zones of Security” could be vital to winning the war on terror. Doing this could save billions in technology alone and make the process more user friendly.
