OFF THE WIRE
Samantha Van Vleet,
Yahoo! Contributor Network
September 11th, 2001 was not only a day that the United States was attacked, but it was a day where the way we travel by sky would be changed forever. September 11th's attacks brought about an immense change in the way security in airports was handled. New things were added to the lists of restricted items, new procedures were put into place, and a great deal of other changes were made. Some of these changes have been enough to anger and outrage ticket-holders, and the changes just keep getting worse.
Within days of September 11th's attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) made an announcement regarding some changes in their security policies. One of these new restrictions included the ban of any knives or cutting instruments made of metal or plastic, beyond security terminals. This ban went as far as to include restaurants located within the airport. These restaurants are allowed to carry things such as spoons and forks, however, there are no knives permitted in their establishment.
Another restriction that had passengers in an uproar was the ban on fluids being taken onto planes. Containers holding more than three ounces of liquid were no longer permitted past security terminals. This includes drinks, shampoos, facial cleaners and more. One of the biggest uproars was brought about in 2007 when a nursing mother brought her expressed breast milk through security and TSA agents forced her to dump her milk, even though she was in compliance with all TSA requirements listed on the TSA website regarding the transport of breast milk on planes. Even later on, the TSA took these security measures a step further, requiring all passengers to remove their shoes during security scans in order to check for "shoe bombs."
Now, even more recently, TSA has engaged full body scans which allow TSA officers to, with the help of x-ray technology, undress passengers on a screen looking for bombs or suspicious items. Many passengers are appalled by this new technology, feeling violated as their bodies are exposed during screening, and others concerned with the amounts of radiation from the scan. Passengers are able to opt out of the scan, however, must go through a full-body pat down, something passengers are upset about. Many airline passengers are complaining of feeling being "violated," or "molested" by these new security measures and even more feel that they are unnecessary. Others are even accusing TSA agents of racial profiling during these checks.
Airlines need to be safe for passengers and bystanders on the ground, however, when is it considered "taking it too far" in regard to airline safety? It seems as though every year, TSA is adding something new. This year its x-ray scanners and full-body pat downs, next year it could be routine cavity searches.
References The TSA Breast Milk Debacle
TSA Measures After Pants Bomber Defies Logic
With TSA Under Fire is Racial Profiling on the Table?
TSA Has Met the Enemey- And They Are Us.
