By Naomi Stapleton
You may have already experienced firsthand the unpleasant longer lines, increased security checks and plane delays during your winter break travels. Whenever you might next be traveling by airplane, brace yourself for even more stringent security. After the recent attempted air terrorism on Dec 25, 2009 in Detroit, travelers now have to participate in heightened security at airports across America.
Although many have criticized the terrorist watch list system in America and how well it may or may not be working, Obama in his speech about airline security said “while our review has found that our watch-listing system is not broken, the failure to add Abdulmutallab to the no-fly list shows that this system needs to be strengthened.”
Immediately after the attack President Obama issued a statement in which he “ordered concrete steps to protect the American people, new screening and security for all flights, domestic and international, more explosive detection teams at airports, more air marshals on flights and deepening co-operation with international partners.”
Although in a recent statement Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the new security procedures were “designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere,” there is a general trend among airports. Airline officials have increased carry-on luggage checks and full body pat downs for all passengers, especially for international flights heading for the United States. Before travelers are permitted to board, a security guard has to inspect each item in each pocket of all pieces of carry-on baggage.
On certain flights there are new in-flight procedures to follow as well. These may include having to stay seated for the last hour of the flight and not being able to access any carry-on luggage during take-off or landing. According to the BBC News, “during flights, passengers may be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight. Such measures will be applied at the “discretion” of the cabin crew.”
Although these new security measures sound like a lengthy ordeal, if you arrive early and allow yourself plenty of time at the airport, your journey will be as calm and hassle-free as possible.
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