Us Airports: Heightened Alert Status And Security Measures

In the wake of the pro-Trump Capitol riot and ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that US airports would be on high alert. The TSA stated that travellers could expect to see additional law enforcement and canine presence at certain airports, as well as the deployment of enhanced security screening technologies. These measures were implemented in response to the FBI's bulletin warning of planned armed protests at state capitols and in Washington, with the TSA emphasising their preparedness for all contingencies and their focus on ensuring traveller safety.

Security measures at US airports

The TSA employs a range of security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish its mission. These include:

• Intelligence gathering and sharing: The TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to gather and share information.
• Passenger screening: This includes carry-on and checked baggage screening, as well as pat-down procedures and advanced imaging technology. Passengers may be asked to remove personal electronic devices, separate certain foods and powders, and follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
• Unpredictable security measures: The TSA adjusts its processes and procedures to meet evolving threats and achieve high levels of transportation security.
• International cooperation: The DHS works with international partners to raise aviation security standards and implement enhanced security measures at foreign airports with direct commercial flights to the US.
• Secure Flight Program: This risk-based passenger prescreening program identifies low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by cross-checking names against trusted traveler lists and watchlists.
• TSA PreCheck®: This expedited screening program allows eligible passengers to speed through security without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets.
• Canine teams: Random canine team screening is used at airports to detect explosives and other threats.
• Federal air marshals: Air marshals are present on certain flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
• Reinforced cockpit doors: Cockpit doors have been reinforced to prevent unauthorized access.

These measures aim to provide a robust system of multiple security layers to protect against threats and ensure the safety of air travelers in the US.

Bomb threats and emergency landings

Bomb threats are a persistent danger to airlines, and while security measures have been tightened worldwide since 9/11, aircraft continue to be targeted by bomb threats and, in some cases, on-board bombs. In the United States, there were 397 reported bomb threats and four bomb explosions at airports in 1974.

Bomb threats can be communicated in various ways, such as anonymous phone calls or suspicious items found in airports or aircraft. Airports and airlines typically follow specific protocols when dealing with bomb threats, although these procedures are often not publicly available for security reasons. However, some standard steps may include gathering as much information as possible, notifying authorities, determining the threat level, and deciding whether to lockdown or evacuate the airport or aircraft.

In recent years, there have been several notable incidents involving bomb threats and emergency landings. For instance, a New York-bound Air India Boeing 777 made an emergency diversion to Delhi following a bomb threat. Similarly, a flight from Mumbai to Chicago was diverted to Canada after a similar threat, and fighter jets in Singapore escorted an Air India Express flight to Changi Airport following an email warning of a bomb on board. These incidents have heightened security concerns and led to discussions about the impact on diplomatic relations and commercial aviation safety.

When a bomb threat is reported while an aircraft is on the ground, it is illegal for the pilot to take off, and they must handle the situation as an emergency. If a threat is received in the air, the priority is to land as soon as possible, and the pilot may need to descend or climb to equalize cabin pressure. In such cases, the nearest suitable airport is chosen for landing, and air traffic control is informed to facilitate a swift landing.

Hijack threats and anti-terror drills

In response to specific intelligence inputs, airports can be placed on high alert, with heightened security measures and anti-terror drills conducted to mitigate potential threats. This was the case in 2015, when security agencies warned of a possible hijack attempt by Islamic State militants or the Taliban on an Air India flight from Kabul to Delhi. As a result, airports across India were placed on high alert, with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) reviewing their security procedures.

Beefing Up Security

To prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas, such as runways, security at airport perimeters was increased. This included additional checks on passengers and their baggage at major airports, including Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. Even airport staff were subjected to thorough security checks to ensure that no stone was left unturned.

Anti-Hijack Drills

Senior CISF officials announced plans to conduct anti-hijack drills to "revalidate processes." These drills are designed to test and improve the effectiveness of security protocols in the event of a hijacking attempt. The drills also help security personnel practice their response and coordination with other agencies.

Communication and Reaction Time

In addition to physical security measures, the CISF focused on improving communication lines with local police and the National Security Guard in major cities. This inter-agency collaboration is crucial to ensuring a swift and coordinated response in the event of an attack. By minimizing reaction time, security agencies can better protect passengers, crew, and airport personnel.

Monitoring and Intelligence

Security officials carefully monitored flights to and from Afghanistan, given the specific threat to the Kabul-Delhi route. Intelligence agencies played a vital role in gathering and analyzing information, with the threat perception based on messages indicating that Islamic State militants and the Taliban could target Indian aviation. This intelligence input allowed security forces to be proactive and adaptive in their security strategies.

The impact of severe weather on airport security

Severe weather is one of the biggest threats to airport operations, impacting not only aircraft in the air but also crew members and infrastructure on the ground. Lightning, wind, hail, and other adverse weather conditions can cause significant disruptions and delays, as well as pose safety risks to those on the ground.

Ground operations crew are particularly vulnerable to dangerous weather conditions, as they are often out in the open and exposed to threats such as lightning strikes. In fact, a ground crew member at Southwest Florida International Airport was struck by lightning in 2023, bringing to light the severe consequences of inclement weather on ground staff.

Severe weather can also cause operational challenges and delays for aircraft in the air. When thunderstorms prevent landing at an airport, pilots are usually asked to slow down or enter a holding pattern until the thunderstorms clear. This can lead to overcrowded airspace and fuel shortages, with diversions to alternate airports being the least desirable option due to the associated passenger delays and increased costs for airlines.

Additionally, severe weather can impact more than just the immediate airport operations. Weather conditions can affect the entire National Airspace System, causing a ripple effect of delays and disruptions. For example, from June 2017 to May 2023, weather caused 74.26% of system-impacting delays of greater than 15 minutes. Airports with the most weather delays, such as Newark and LaGuardia, tend to operate close to capacity, resulting in delayed flights having to wait hours to land or depart.

To mitigate the impact of severe weather, airports can implement strategic traffic flow management and severe weather avoidance plans. By utilizing accurate weather predictions and available airspace resources, traffic flow managers can reroute traffic, direct flights to weather-free paths, and delay arrivals to ensure safe landings and takeoffs. Furthermore, airports can invest in automated weather intelligence solutions to enhance their overall safety and efficiency during severe weather events.

The role of TSA in maintaining airport security

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a US government agency that was created in 2001 to improve and enhance security in all modes of transportation, with a focus on air travel. It became a part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 and makes up a quarter of the DHS workforce.

The TSA's scope includes commercial and general aviation, mass transit systems, freight and passenger rail, highways, pipelines, and ports. It employs nearly 65,000 people, including transportation security officers, transportation security inspectors, transportation security specialists, and other security professionals.

Transportation security officers screen more than 2 million passengers each day at nearly 440 airports across the nation. They are trained to spot prohibited items and, on average, discover nine firearms per day at security checkpoints. The TSA also employs over 350 explosives specialists who provide advanced training to the screening workforce in explosives, improvised explosive devices, artful concealment, and terrorist incidents.

The TSA works closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information and maintain aviation security standards. They incorporate unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to accomplish their transportation security mission. These measures begin long before a passenger arrives at the airport and continue until they reach their destination. The TSA also adjusts its processes and procedures to meet evolving threats and achieve the highest levels of transportation security.

The TSA uses advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. They also employ canine teams, known as Explosives Detection Canine Teams, to assist in security screenings. These highly trained dogs can detect explosives and other prohibited items that technology might miss.

The TSA plays a crucial role in maintaining airport security and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Through various methods and technologies, they work to ensure that all passengers and their belongings are thoroughly screened before boarding a flight.

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