Eight Measures for Transportation Security

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the federal government established additional government measures to safeguard American travelers from terrorism. Several new security measures were added, and existing measures were improved or enhanced. Today, these eight measures protect Americans as they travel.

  1. Federal Air Marshals – These law enforcement officials ride aboard commercial flights in order to provide protection to air passengers and to prevent terror in the air.
  2. Enhanced Airport Screening – Security measures in US airports have been significantly upgraded since 9/11. Beyond mere metal detectors, travelers are screened with backscatter x-ray and millimeter wave detection machines that help security officers detect metal and non-metal weapons. In addition, passengers can be singled out for additional searches of their person or their belongings if deemed necessary.
  3. Luggage Search – The Transportation Security Administration has the authority to search any luggage passing through American airports. In addition, they have the authority to cut, disable or otherwise destroy locks in these searches.
  4. Border Patrol – While the primary responsibility of border patrol is to prevent terrorists and weapons from entering the country, border patrol also helps protect travelers as they leave and enter the US, by performing searches of passengers and cargo as deemed necessary.
  5. Port Security – Passengers boarding vessels in the US are subject to port security searches and checks to ensure their safety once onboard.
  6. Coast Guard Patrols – The US Coast Guard patrols US coastlines and waterways to protect all Americans on any sort of water transportation in American controlled waterways.
  7. Security measures abroad – Newer TSA requirements went into effect in January 2010 regarding international flights bound for the US. Enhanced screening is required for all passengers bound for the US who are traveling from or through countries that are state sponsors of terrorism.
  8. The Transportation Security Administration also oversees security for general aviation in the US. These measures protect private and business small aircraft to ensure protection for travelers. Measures regarding security for general aviation are highly dependent upon the nature of each individual flight and airport.

Protecting American travelers is no easy feat, particularly with the number of commercial flights and the thousands of miles of land borders and coastline around the country. In its efforts to increase security in the aftermath of 9/11, the TSA has come under some criticism for invasion of passenger privacy and for making the process of traveling through US airports too time consuming and cumbersome. There have also been criticisms that, in spite of tougher measures, not all terrorists are weeded out.

However, it is certain that air, land and sea travel in the US is safer today than it was ten years ago. Despite its faults, the American government has clearly demonstrated that the safety of American travelers is taken very seriously, and that all necessary measures will be taken to thwart terrorists who aim to harm travelers or to use transportation as a terror device.

Phyllis T. Zerkle enjoys blogging in order to help students find the information they need about online homeland security degrees.

Purge Week

This week I am cleaning out the closet and the laundry room. The focus is on clothes. Anything that does not fit, has tears or stains, or has faded badly will have to go. I can’t stand to have a lot of useless things laying around the house. This whole week will be devoted to purging the old and making way for the new. Its going to be a lot of work, but it must be done.

Upgrades and Changes

Here we go again. I think I have had to update or upgrade just about every program on my computer with security patches and new releases. Some of the programs are sending out updates twice a month. This is getting to be very cumbersome. They don’t always work right, either. Sometimes it is not good to be the one on the block to install the latest version of an important software.

Gone Fishing

Sometimes a guy needs a break. You just have to walk away from all the daily drama and all the problems and go fishing. My buddy, Claude, called me up last night and suggested a trip out on the lake in his bass boat. That was the perfect excuse for me. So today we’ve been fishing. Caught a bunch – let them go, of course – and just chilled for the day. What a good break that was for me – I needed this.

Great Lunch

Had the chance to go to a different part of town today during the lunch hour. I took advantage of the time over there to get lunch at a deli that I used to go to once in a while. The deli is still there, and crowded as ever. You know its good food when people are lined up out of the door and don’t just skip over to a different place because they are willing to wait.

I ordered a muffaletta sandwich – it was a great taste and very satisfying. For only $6 I had enough food for two meals and it was delicious. I’ll look forward to going back soon.

Survivor Symptoms

Some people have to endure terrible things in their lives. My heart goes out to victims of any crime and war. What a terrible thing war is – it makes me sad to know that people can be so cruel and hateful and treat each other so badly.

If you have spent any time with someone who has survived a tragedy or ordeal, you begin to notice a pattern of certain behaviors. I don’t see any of the news media sharing this information, but it would be helpful to know how to interact with people coming back from war.

Pringles

When did Pringles get so expensive? They used to be 75 cents for a tall can. I swear that’s what I paid for them last year when I stocked up for a party. Now they are $1.79 for the same size can. I really don’t think there was a disaster with potatoes. Maybe there was? I don’t know, but more than double the price in less than a year tells me something is very wrong. I still like them, but I guarantee that I will be eating less of the Pringles at this price.

Facebook Manners

I have been on Facebook for quite a while now. I know a lot of people are new to it, and I’m glad about that. But there are some definite manners that are expected from FB “friends” and I wish there was a list of those that newcomers had to read before they are allowed to create a page and annoy the rest of us.

Famiy Picnic Plans

Just got l from my brother-in-law, Claude. He wants to round up a bunch of us family members for a picnic on the Fourth of July weekend. Since the Fourth is falling on a Monday this year, none of us will have to work that day. But I suggested we have the gathering on Sunday afternoon, because I know a lot of people already have commitments with their nuclear families on the Fourth itself.