The Washington Post yesterday noted a story about the “growing backlash” against new TSA procedures that now involve “pat down” searches and full body scanning machines that are now in place at many airports. This is obviously done in the name of security and attempts to make air travel in the United States as safe as possible. Whether or not the procedures work or not are of a different discussion but a few more areas of concern I believe are necessary for discussion. As someone who has performed hundreds and probably over a thousand “searches” before in my career although not in an airport setting I offer my thoughts.
The terror attacks of September 11th, obviously brought to light many flaws of our security and intelligence community and served as a major victory in Al Quida’s battle in their war against the United States and the remainder of the world. Since then major security initiatives were taken in order to prevent further attacks and those efforts should be commended. I firmly believe that security and public safety is an issue that must be done with the fullest efforts of the government that is responsible for handling it as well as those involved in it like the employees. Politicians must also have their priorities in line when identifying the most qualified people to be in leadership positions of these areas in the name of security and not politician pandering against whether or not someone supports unionization or not. While that is another issue to discuss, it reiterates why our security arena against terrorism still needs a great deal of work beyond “pat down” searches and body scanners.
I have always held in high regard the security practices of El Al Airlines and have taken significant criticism for it. However, if you look at it from a purely security and safety standpoint no one can argue that it is effective. I have never flown on El Al but with many people writing consistently about their practices one key area of difference is obviously: Training of security personnel. Obviously, Israel requires mandatory military service for those capable and that is a significant advantage to those who then go on and work with El Al Security. In addition to this it appears that many of their security personnel are trained in questioning passengers about their travels and inconsistencies in their stories and whether or not their answered warrant further scrutiny. There are other practices involved in their procedures but the most striking to me is that for their terminals in the United States they do not utilize the TSA. Is it due to their own paranoia or a lack of trust with American security standards. I believe it is both.
The level of training required of TSA employees should be rigorous and held to the same standard as professional public safety organizations to include thorough background checks, interviews, tests and psychological and medical exams. TSA procedures should be held on the same level as public safety and they should be viewed in the same community. As of now they are not and that is wrong. In addition to hiring the most qualified people we should also require the best training to keep up with evolving tactics or terrorists and criminals who use airlines to further their agenda (criminal or terror) but also ensure they are compensated properly along with proper benefits. People need to ensure they can provide the best lives for themselves and their loved ones who rely on their financial support. But most importantly they need to view their job as a way of life and not simply as a paycheck. I know that a majority of those who work in the TSA as screeners and other security positions take their job seriously, it only takes one lazy or inattentive worker to fail at their duties to result in another tragedy.
As for pat down searches and full body scans I’ll move more towards the security aspect of the discussion. Weapons on a plane that does not have armed air marshalls can have disastrous consequences. As any law enforcement professional and they could tell you about weapons, knives and other contraband being found in “private” or “sensitive” areas of criminals that would not be found in a normal “pat search” that does not encompass the entire body. I can speak from experience that criminals know it is uncomfortable for those conducting the search to check those areas of another person’s body. That feeling of being uncomfortable can be viewed as a weakness which can be exploited and that is where these searches come into play. Firearms and sharpened weapons can easily be made out of non-metallic material that can not be picked up via metal detector and since full body scanned are not mandatory a “pat down” search is all that remains. There is no way around the fact that a properly performed pat down search done in accordance with proper training protocols will result in that weapon being found. But in the end this is really not the overall moral of airport security.
Travel is all about getting from one place to another as soon as possible and with as little hassle as possible. Security should not be about cutting down on hassles for travelers or short-changing protocols or procedures in order to make a traveler happy. In addition, security should not be able cutting costs or getting the job done at the lowest possible cost for the public to where training, pay and compensation are sacrificed in order to save money. Employees should be paid and given benefits to ensure we are getting the most qualified personnel out there and qualification with specific backgrounds in security, terrorism, psychology and military should be of highest preference. Until all these areas are covered and treated and held to the same standards as our public safety community it does not matter how many “pat downs” or body scans are done we will still be living in a day of smoke and mirrors called security.
