Owais Crawford
Airport security is a complex, multi-layered system that requires careful planning and implementation. It is often referred to as the 'protectors of air travel'. In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the primary authority on airport security, with the Federal Air Marshal Service as its law enforcement arm. The TSA was created in response to the September 11 attacks, with the primary mission of improving airport security procedures and preventing aircraft hijacking. Similarly, the Department for Transport (DfT) governs airport security in the United Kingdom, along with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Airport security involves various measures, including pre-board screening, hold baggage security screening, closed-circuit video systems, and perimeter intrusion detection systems, all working together to ensure passenger safety and secure air travel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Transportation Security Administration (TSA) |
| Purpose | To prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the airport and onboard the plane |
| Procedures | May change from time to time to meet evolving threats |
| Public role | To report unattended bags or packages, individuals in possession of threatening items, and persons trying to enter restricted areas |
| Screening procedures | Metal detectors, X-ray equipment, pat-downs, handheld metal detectors, explosives trace detection devices, check-in procedures, visa and immigration status checks |
| Hold baggage security screening (HBSS) | X-ray, computer tomography (CT), explosive detection systems (EDS), physical searches |
| Technology | Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, facial recognition, bollards, fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection systems |
| Programs | Secure Flight, TSA PreCheck® |
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What You'll Learn
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for securing the nation's transportation systems and ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commercial activities. The TSA achieves this by implementing security measures at airports, train stations, bus stops, and ports.
TSA's security measures include screening passengers and their belongings, as well as identifying and responding to potential threats. They employ unpredictable security protocols, both seen and unseen, to enhance security. The TSA PreCheck® program, for instance, expedites the screening process for enrolled travellers. This program entails a risk-based passenger pre-screening process that identifies low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveller lists and watchlists.
TSA also relies on the cooperation of the travelling public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended baggage, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to enter restricted areas. The public can report such activities via text or social media platforms, and TSA provides guidance on allowed items in carry-on and checked baggage to facilitate the screening process.
Additionally, the TSA has implemented the Secure Flight program to protect sensitive passenger information while effectively identifying potential threats. The Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) is also supported by TSA, which includes fingerprint capture services as part of the application process for certain workers accessing secure areas.
The TSA is committed to evolving its processes to meet emerging threats and achieve the highest levels of transportation security. This includes adjusting procedures and adopting new technologies, such as providing officers with universal "master" keys to access certain branded locks without cutting them during baggage inspections.
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Federal Air Marshals
Airport security comprises various systems and personnel that work together to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. One critical component of airport security is the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), a federal law enforcement agency within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The history of the Federal Air Marshal Service dates back to the 1960s. In 1961, General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. proposed the idea of armed security forces on commercial flights. President John F. Kennedy ordered the deployment of federal law enforcement officers on certain high-risk flights. The program began on March 2, 1962, as the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) FAA Peace Officers Program, with the first group of volunteers receiving training from the U.S. Border Patrol.
Over the years, the Federal Air Marshal Service has evolved and expanded. In the 1970s, it became a joint effort between the United States Customs Service and the FAA, addressing the rising threat of air piracy and hijackings. President Richard Nixon ordered the deployment of armed federal agents on commercial aircraft, and the Customs Security Officer (CSO) position was established. After the customs security officer force was disbanded in the mid-1970s, a small group of Federal Air Marshals were retrained, and in 1985, President Ronald Reagan requested an expansion of the program, leading to the enactment of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act.
Today, Federal Air Marshals continue to serve as an integral part of aviation security, working closely with various partners and participating in training and investigative tasks. They hold assignments at various headquarters locations and collaborate with other federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of air travellers.
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Screening passengers and baggage
Screening passengers and their baggage is a crucial aspect of airport security, ensuring the safety of travellers and deterring potential threats. This process involves various measures, including advanced technology, risk-based assessments, and physical searches. Here is an overview of the procedures involved in screening passengers and their baggage at airport security checkpoints:
Passenger Screening Procedures:
Passengers are typically screened through security checkpoints to access the "secure", "sterile", or "airside" areas of the airport, where the exit gates to aircraft are located. This screening process may include a range of measures such as:
- Metal detectors: Passengers walk through metal detectors to detect any metal objects, which could potentially be weapons or prohibited items.
- Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT): AIT machines use technologies such as backscatter X-ray or millimetre-wave scanners to detect prohibited items without depicting passengers in a state of undress.
- Pat-down procedures: TSA officers may perform pat-downs to determine if prohibited items are concealed on a passenger's body. This may be done as part of unpredictable security measures or as an alternative to AIT screening.
- Risk-based prescreening: Programs such as Secure Flight and TSA PreCheck® identify low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by cross-referencing passenger information with trusted traveller lists and watchlists.
Baggage Screening Procedures:
The screening of carry-on and checked baggage is essential to ensure that prohibited items and potential threats do not make their way onto aircraft. Here are some common baggage screening procedures:
- X-ray machines: X-ray technology is used to scan and identify the contents of baggage, including carry-on and checked luggage.
- Explosive detection: Machines employing gas chromatography can detect volatile compounds associated with explosives, ensuring that explosive devices do not make it onto airplanes.
- Physical searches: In some cases, security personnel may conduct random physical searches of passengers' baggage at pre-board screening points to identify prohibited items.
- Hazardous materials restrictions: Most hazardous materials are forbidden in both carry-on and checked baggage. However, exceptions are made for certain personal items like toiletries, medicines, battery-powered electronics, and assistive devices.
Additional Security Measures:
Apart from passenger and baggage screening, airport security employs various additional measures to enhance safety:
- Perimeter intrusion detection systems: These systems enable security personnel to detect and locate any intrusions on the airport perimeter, allowing for real-time threat assessment and response.
- Access control and video monitoring: Airports utilise CCTV and other video monitoring systems to monitor checked baggage facilities and restricted areas.
- Intelligence and law enforcement collaboration: Agencies like the TSA work closely with intelligence and law enforcement to adapt security procedures based on evolving threats.
- Sanitation practices: Hygiene challenges posed by frequently touched surfaces during security checks have prompted the implementation of enhanced sanitation practices in these areas.
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Closed-circuit video systems
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems are an integral part of airport security, providing video surveillance of sensitive areas. These systems are used to monitor various locations within an airport, including the security area, apron, runway, and perimeter.
CCTV cameras are video surveillance cameras that capture footage of specific areas to enhance security. They are often employed in airports to monitor both indoor and outdoor locations, ensuring a holistic coverage of the premises. The cameras are strategically positioned to cover large spatial areas, providing a comprehensive view of the airport's operations.
One notable CCTV system used in airports is the Panomera® multifocal sensor system, which offers high-resolution imaging across expansive areas. This technology enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple processes, allowing different users, such as police and apron controllers, to access detailed views of various airport operations. The system's AI-based object classification feature further enhances security by minimising false alarms.
CCTV systems in airports are typically closed systems, where the cameras connect only to a recording device and monitor within the network. This means that the video feed is not openly transmitted or broadcast and remains accessible only to authorised personnel. The footage is stored on digital video recorders (DVRs) or network video recorders (NVRs) for later review, enabling airport security to investigate incidents retrospectively.
When designing a CCTV system for airport security, it is essential to consider factors such as the total number of cameras, their resolution, and video quality settings. These variables impact the storage capacity and the length of footage that can be retained. Additionally, scalability is an important aspect, as expanding a CCTV system often requires installing additional cabling to support more cameras.
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Preventing aircraft hijacking
Airport security is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety of passengers and preventing aircraft hijackings, which can have tragic consequences. Here are some measures in place to prevent aircraft hijackings:
Security Screening
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs a layered approach to security, utilising unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, to prevent prohibited items and threats from entering secure areas of the airport. This includes passenger screening, where all travellers and their belongings are checked for prohibited items and threatening items. TSA also encourages the public to report any suspicious activities, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to enter restricted areas.
Passenger Prescreening
The TSA's Secure Flight program enhances security by identifying potential risks before passengers arrive at the airport. This is done by matching passenger information against trusted traveller lists and watchlists, minimising personal data collection to protect privacy. This program helps identify low-risk passengers eligible for expedited screening and those requiring enhanced screening.
Crew Training and Vigilance
Cabin crew and pilots receive training in self-defence and are taught to be vigilant for suspicious behaviour. They are trained to intervene and prevent attacks, and to maintain control of the aircraft. Crew members are also empowered to block disruptive passengers from boarding and to restrain unruly passengers using various methods if necessary.
Fortified Cockpit Doors
Following incidents where unauthorised access to the cockpit led to aircraft seizure, regulations have been implemented to fortify cockpit doors. The FAA now requires tougher cockpit doors that are easier to lock, making it harder for intruders to gain access and ensuring pilots can secure the cockpit during flight.
Law Enforcement Presence
Some countries employ marshal services, placing members of law enforcement on high-risk flights to prevent hijackings and other criminal acts. Additionally, countries like Germany have enacted laws allowing "direct action by armed force" against hijacked aircraft, although this has been a subject of legal debate.
Perimeter Security
Airport perimeter security has also been enhanced with the use of fibre optic intrusion detection systems. These systems provide real-time alerts and tracking of any intrusions, allowing security personnel to quickly assess and respond to potential threats.
While aircraft hijackings are rare, the prevention of such incidents is a daily focus for aviation authorities, who continuously adapt and enhance security measures to protect passengers and aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport security in the United States is called the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Airport security's primary mission is to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. This includes screening passengers and baggage, as well as securing restricted areas.
Airport security employs a range of methods, including metal detectors, X-ray equipment, pat-downs, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, and baggage security screening systems. They also utilise fibre optic perimeter intrusion detection systems to monitor the airport perimeter.
