As one would expect, all security measures and procedures are being scrutinized after the Christmas Day attempt to blow up a flight from Europe to the United States. Unfortunately, the world needs scares like this to continually review and evaluate existing airline security procedures. Clearly it is not enough to have lists of people who should no be allowed anywhere near an airport; one has to actually do something with these lists.
I saw an interesting string of events on a November flight from London Heathrow to JFK Airport in New York. At the boarding gate, all passengers were subject to an additional security check including pat down and carry on inspection…standard procedure overseas. A man who looked like he had just walked off the battle field in Afghanistan (and I don’t mean a U.S. Marine) was given a lengthy security screening for at least 15 minutes. Two men in suites with walkie talkies appeared, stood behind the gate agent’s desk and observed the man being screened, while periodically speaking into their radios. I happened to be on the phone with a friend while this was taking place. I commented to my frined that I thought there was no chance this man would make it through U.S. Customs based on his appearance. After the extra thorough screening, the guy was let into the boarding area and took a seat, looking highly annoyed. We boarded the plane and flew across the Atlantic without incident.
Upon arrival at the gate, passengers stood up to collect their bags and deplane. At that time, a flight attendant came on the P.A. and asked that all passengers have their passports ready as two TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents would be in the jet way inspecting passports. Passengers proceeded to the line for US customs. While standing in the customs line, I watched all the passengers from my flight walk down the stairs to US Customs, and after several minutes never saw the man that was was subjected to heavy additional screening in London. Finally, the man appeared, flanked by the two TSA agents. The agents escorted him past the customs line, proceeded down a hallway and disappeared.
Did this person do something or act a certain way on the plane to cause suspicion?
Why was he a threat in the US and not in London?
Did the men in suits call US Customs and warn them about this person?
Could nothing be done about this person under UK law?
Many questions remain, but I think this illustrates that while sophisticated anti-terror security measures are in place, the one that may still work the best is opening our eyes. The security focus must be on preventing potential threats from borading a plane. Obviously, once a plane is airborne, risks are greatly magnified. Putting rules in place based on past events (i.e. no liquids and remain in your seat prior to landing) is important, but the measures that will actually prevent the next cowardly act of terrorism not only have to be forward looking but acted upon ahead of time.
