Are We Really Safer?
By Frequent Flyer -- Evan Scott

Since the terrorist attack on September 11, Airport Security has become a top priority. As a result, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was formed to oversee the task. However, are we really safer? Or is this just a feel good action to make it look like something has been done to protect the airways? I firmly believe the latter. The fact is: a box cutter did not enable four aircraft to be highjacked and kill thousands of people. It was terrorists praying on our trust. At the time, to the average person it was inconceivable that a highjacker would want to purposely crash the aircraft they were in. The commercial airline industry believed the same thing. That’s why they make sure checked baggage always travel on the same aircraft as the passenger.

What happened was the passengers and crew felt that if they cooperated, the plane would land safely and there would be minimal repercussions. The highjackers also counted on lack of confidence in the airline security. By suggesting that explosives were on board, the crew and passengers felt it was best to cooperate.

Case in point: When United Airlines Flight 93 was being highjacked, several passengers made cell phone and air phone calls to report the incident. As events unfolded many were informed about the fate of the other aircraft. American Airlines flight 11 and 77 had already crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower and Pentagon, respectively. Once armed with that information the passengers banded together and fought with the highjackers to regain control of Flight 93. Unfortunately, one highjacker was already at the controls of the aircraft. Knowing that the plans were thwarted, he immediately dove the plane into the ground. That act of bravery by the passengers no doubt saved more lives since the highjackers were unable to crash the aircraft into the designated target, presumably the White House.

So, what does this increased security screening of passengers do? According to the TSA web site here’s a partial list of prohibited items for carry on.

Sharp Objects:
Bows and arrows
Drills (including cordless drills)
Ice picks
Knives of any length (except rounded-blade butter and plastic cutlery)
Sabers
Scissors (metal with pointed tips)
Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits)
Swords    more >>