Aviation Security: Illusion of Safety or Reality?
Abstract
Security is a
complicated concept where people have to be secure and also feel it. Serious
risk calculations determine the fact but also the feeling has to be included in
the policy development. Because people are generally are scared by spectacular
risks. The controllable risks seem to be less scary but the uncontrollable are
considered important. Therefore, aviation is believed to be higher than the
driving whereas the contrary is the reality. Technology and media are the two
parameters that count for the awareness of people concerning the risks.
Aviation and airline security became very important following the 9/11 attack
in USA. This attack ended up with a huge crisis and people were ready to give
up their freedoms to guarantee security. It is known that airport security was
fragmented before 9/11. It was not practiced seriously, it resembled a security
theater for the passengers and companies believed that terrorist attacks were
limited. Things have changed today. Following 9/11 the system in USA became
state controlled 50000 transportation security officers are scanning
passengers. Hardening cockpit doors, crew passenger resistance and federal air
marshal service are added to the security system. Despite all these
precautions, absolute security cannot be reached but, in any case, the
psychological parameter has always to be a matter to consider.
Keywords
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