Homeland Security has increased U.S. airport security because of recent concerns over new bomb making instructions released by al Qaeda in Yemen (AQAP).
The new security measures will include additional random checks after passengers pass through security, bag checks, passenger pat-downs and hand swabs for traces of explosives.
UT Martin’s Assistant Professor of Sport Management Dr. Dexter Davis often travels for work and stated that, “I’m thankful for pre-screen. It saves me a lot of hassle. I travel a lot, and the pre-screen is awesome.” Some felt that the extra screening is overly cautious. The extra security measures may be a challenge, but when you think about keeping people safe perhaps they are worth it.
The reason behind the sudden heightened security measures is because of “the new issue of AQAP’s Inspire magazine, released on December 24, featured instructions on how to build what AQAP called a ‘hidden bomb’ from easily purchasable materials. It also included directions on how would-be lone wolves worldwide can evade airport security scanners and sniffer dogs.”
The new recipe does not include PETN which is a white powdery explosive that Omar Farouk Abdulmutallab “the underwear bomber” attempted to detonate on Christmas Day in 2009 using an explosive device built by Ibrahim al Asiri, AQAP’s master bomb-maker. PETN, the main charge, failed to detonate as the plane approached Detroit. PETN is difficult for extremists to manufacture or acquire in the West.
“U.S. airport security in recent years has focused its greatest screening efforts on ‘unknown’ travelers. For example, fliers who provide personal information for ‘trusted traveler’ programs often receive expedited screening at U.S. airports, and at international screening and customs checkpoints. The department contends that airport security officers to focus their greatest efforts on the remaining highest-risk fliers.”
Airport security officers have also been known to use profiling when screening individuals, which is one of Amy Flenning’s, Director of International Programs and International Admissions, main concerns.
“I’m all for making sure travel is safe and secure, but I worry that there is some profiling that happens. If that’s the case, that disturbs me. Profiling of all the Saudis that we have here. I don’t want them unfairly treated when they travel. But, I support more security to make the skies safe,” said Flenning.
The increased security does make flying a tiresome process, but like Flenning stated, “tiresome but somewhat necessary.”
