Lectio Socialis (Jan 2019)
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.
