Jazmin Li
Airport security officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of travellers, airports, and aircraft. They screen people and property, control entry and exit points, and watch several areas before and beyond checkpoints. While their powers vary across jurisdictions, they generally include verifying boarding passes, requesting passengers to remove clothing and walk through metal detectors or X-ray machines, and conducting secondary screenings or physical searches if something arouses suspicion. In some countries, airport security may be provided by a dedicated police force, while in others, it may be controlled at the state or local level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent harm to aircraft, passengers, and crew, as well as support national security and counter-terrorism policy. |
| Screening | Screening procedures are used to prevent prohibited items and other threats from entering the airport. This includes screening people, carry-on luggage, and checked baggage. |
| Technology | Metal detectors, X-ray machines, full-body scanners, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines are used for screening. |
| Identification | Airport security staff verify boarding passes and IDs during the screening process. |
| Secondary Screening | If someone arouses suspicion, officers may perform a secondary screening, which can include a metal detector check, physical search, or other measures. |
| Consent | Passengers have the right to decline a secondary screening and request alternative methods if uncomfortable with physical contact. |
| Detainment | Airport security can hold passengers for the police if they identify a threat or observe illegal activity, but their authority to detain is unclear and varies by country and airport. |
| Search | Airport officials have the right to search passengers with their consent. A physical search requires the presence of two officers of the same gender as the traveler. |
| Staff | Airport security staff includes Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDOs), Transportation Security Inspectors (TSIs), and police dog services. |
| Training | Airport security officers undergo rigorous training and are, to varying degrees, explosive and weapons experts. |
| Regulation | Airport security regulations and procedures vary by country and airport. For example, the US TSA, UK, EU, and Canada's CATSA have their own regulations. |
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What You'll Learn
Screening passengers and their luggage
Passenger Screening:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US employs various technologies and procedures to screen passengers. These include advanced imaging technology (AIT), which requires the removal of light outer garments or bulky clothing. TSA also utilizes pat-down procedures to detect prohibited items or security threats. Additionally, the "Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques" (SPOT) program is in place at some US airports.
Luggage Screening:
Airport security uses different types of equipment to screen carry-on and checked luggage for dangerous or prohibited items. This includes X-ray machines, metal detectors, millimeter wave machines, and backscatter X-ray machines. These machines can detect hidden objects and create images of luggage contents. TSA screeners also check for hazardous materials, with specific restrictions on liquids, gels, and aerosols.
Security Measures:
Airports employ unpredictable security measures, including the use of ionizing radiation to scan passengers and luggage. This radiation has sufficient energy to knock electrons out of atoms, allowing for the detection of hidden objects and the creation of detailed images. TSA's equipment meets FDA requirements to limit radiation exposure for passengers and workers, with regular testing and maintenance to ensure safety standards.
Lost and Found:
TSA understands that items may be lost or damaged during the screening process. Passengers can file claims and work with TSA to retrieve lost items, including personal identification. TSA also encourages travellers to report unattended bags or suspicious activities to enhance security.
International Variations:
Airport security procedures vary internationally. For instance, the UK previously used backscatter X-ray machines for a 360-degree view, including under clothing. These were replaced by millimeter wave scanners that show hidden items without displaying the passenger's body. In Finland, airport security is handled by the Finnish Police, with a dedicated airport unit at Helsinki Airport, including a canine squad and a terrorist and bomb squad.
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Scanning and imaging
X-ray scanners utilise low levels of ionizing radiation to generate images of passengers' luggage. They can identify a wide array of items, from weapons and explosives to drugs, by emitting X-ray beams that penetrate the luggage and are detected on the other side. While effective, some airports have discontinued the use of backscatter X-ray scanners due to privacy concerns, as they reveal detailed images of a person's body.
Millimeter wave scanners, on the other hand, employ non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to create 3D images of a passenger's body. These scanners are designed to be safe, emitting low-power radio frequency signals that bounce off the body and are then interpreted by the machine. They are particularly useful for detecting items hidden under clothing, including metallic and non-metallic objects. The technology is so advanced that it can even detect drugs hidden in body cavities or the body's interior.
To ensure the safety and accuracy of these scanners, the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) establishes standards and regulations for their use. These scanners are safe for all passengers, including children and pregnant women, and emit radiation levels well below recommended safety limits. Additionally, passengers have the option to decline AIT screening in favour of physical screening, addressing any privacy or health concerns they may have.
Furthermore, airport security may employ additional measures such as pat-down procedures to complement the scanning process. These procedures are used to confirm any potential threats detected by the scanners and can include inspections of sensitive areas with the passenger's consent. Overall, scanning and imaging technologies play a vital role in maintaining airport security, allowing for the swift and effective identification of prohibited items and potential dangers.
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Verifying boarding passes
Verifying a passenger's identity is a crucial part of airport security. Traditionally, this has been done by checking a passenger's boarding pass and government-issued ID when they reach the security checkpoint. However, this process can be time-consuming and cumbersome for passengers, who may struggle to find their boarding pass.
To streamline the security process, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced several new technologies at airports across the United States. One such technology is Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which has been installed at over 225 airports. CAT is a system linked electronically to flight databases, allowing TSA officers to confirm travellers' flight details and trusted traveller status without needing to scan their boarding pass. Instead, passengers hand over their ID to a TSA officer or insert it into a machine themselves, and their biographical information is matched against the Secure Flight database in real time.
Another option available at some airports is Clear, which uses facial recognition and fingerprint scans at designated kiosks to verify a passenger's identity. Once their identity has been matched with their boarding pass, an agent will escort them to the front of the security line. This service is available for an annual membership fee of $189.
In addition, some private companies are working on innovations for airport security. For example, Apple has partnered with the TSA to allow passengers at select airports to upload their state-issued IDs to the Apple Wallet app and pass through checkpoints using their iPhone or Apple Watch. American Airlines has also introduced a system where passengers with a frequent flyer account and TSA PreCheck can use a mobile device to verify their identity.
These new technologies aim to enhance security and improve the customer experience by reducing wait times at airport security checkpoints.
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Holding passengers
- Random Checks and Unpredictable Measures: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States employs unpredictable security measures, including random checks on passengers. These measures are designed to enhance security and may result in some passengers being held for additional screening, regardless of their age or status.
- Secondary Screening: If a passenger sets off a screening alarm or is selected for enhanced screening, they may be subjected to a pat-down procedure or alternative screening method. This could involve a physical inspection by a TSA officer to ensure no prohibited items are concealed on the person.
- Body Scanners and Advanced Imaging Technology: Body scanners and advanced imaging technology, such as millimeter wave scanners, are commonly used to detect potential threats without physical contact. If something is detected or if a passenger is unable to use the body scanner, they may be subjected to a pat-down inspection.
- Reporting Suspicious Activities: The TSA relies on the traveling public to report suspicious activities, such as unattended bags, individuals with threatening items, or attempts to enter restricted areas. Passengers who exhibit suspicious behavior or match watchlists may be held for further investigation.
- Secure Flight Prescreening: Secure Flight is a risk-based passenger prescreening program that identifies potential risks before passengers arrive at the airport. Passengers on the Selectee List are designated for enhanced screening, which may include holding them for additional checks.
- International Variations: Airport security measures vary across different countries and airports. For example, the UK previously trialed backscatter X-ray machines for passenger screening, while the Hong Kong International Airport is secured by the Hong Kong Police Force and Aviation Security Company (AVSECO), with armed Airport Security Units deployed.
- Prohibited Items and Liquids: Holding passengers may also be related to the discovery of prohibited items or liquids during security checks. Passengers found with hazardous materials, weapons, explosives, or liquids exceeding the allowed limit may be detained for further questioning or confiscation of items.
It is important to note that airport security procedures are in place to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved. Passengers who are held for additional screening are expected to cooperate with TSA agents and follow their instructions.
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Secondary screening
The criteria for selecting passengers for secondary screening are not publicly disclosed by airport authorities or airlines. However, several factors are believed to influence this decision. These include passengers with one-way reservations, those who pay in cash, travellers flying through high-risk countries, and individuals with names resembling those on watch lists. Additionally, passengers who refuse to remove bulky clothing or light outer garments may be subjected to further screening.
During the secondary screening process, airport security staff may employ various methods to ensure safety. They may request passengers to pass through metal detectors again or undergo a full physical search, which requires the presence of two officers of the same gender as the traveller. Screening procedures also involve scanning and imaging technologies, such as X-ray machines, to detect prohibited items and potential threats.
The specific protocols and technologies used in secondary screening may vary across different countries and airports. For example, the UK previously trialled backscatter X-ray machines that provided a 360-degree view of passengers, including under their clothes. However, these machines were replaced by millimetre-wave scanners that detect hidden items without revealing the passenger's body.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport security officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of travellers, airports, and aircraft. They screen people and property, control entry and exit points, and watch areas before and beyond checkpoints. They also operate screening equipment and technology to identify dangerous objects in baggage, cargo, and passengers, and prevent those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
Airport security officers have the power to search passengers and their belongings, verify boarding passes, and hold passengers for further investigation. They can also conduct secondary screenings, which may include a walk through a metal detector or a full physical search. However, passengers have the right to decline a secondary screening and request alternative methods if they are uncomfortable with touching.
Airport security officers are not allowed to handle passports or other personal documents unless there is a "heightened risk condition". They do not carry weapons and do not have arrest powers, although some countries may have agencies that protect their airports, such as the Australian Federal Police.
