"Airport passenger safety tops Homeland Security priority list"

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Airport passenger safety tops Homeland Security priority list
By Kelli Downey
The San Jose State University (CA) Spartan Daily


The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, encouraged changes to be made to prevent
another act of terrorism. The government created the new Department of
Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration shortly after
the attacks.

"They (the department) definitely achieved one extremely important aim which
is to re-instill confidence in the traveling public," said Doron Pely, vice
president publications and editor-in-chief for Homeland Security Research
Corporation. "Without that, civilization would have suffered enormous
damage."

The Department of Homeland Security was created in November 2002. The three
primary missions of the department are to: prevent terrorist attacks in the
United States, reduce the United States vulnerability to terrorism and to
minimize damage from potential attacks and natural disasters, according to
the department's Web site.

During the past three years since the department was created, "Their
efficiency improved and they were deployed and operated in record time,"
Pely said. "That's a significant success."

In addition to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the
Transportation Security Administration was also formed to help prevent
terrorism.

"The biggest impact on our airport and airports nationwide is the start up
of the TSA," said Rich Dressler, Mineta San Jose International Airport
spokesman. "Because of them, there's been a greater security."

The Transportation Security Administration was created in November 2001.
Their mission is to prevent terrorist attacks and protect the U.S.
transportation network, according to the agency's Web site. 

The agency replaced private security companies with a federal agency that
now screen all baggage. Prior to the agency, checked luggage was not
screened for explosives.

"Security has gotten better at all airports," Dressler said. "We have 100
percent screening of all checked baggage."

Changes at airports have increased the time it takes for each person to get
through screening. For some travelers, it has become more of a burden since
Sept. 11.

"It's real frustrating to stand in line forever," said Reshma Kamath, a San
Jose State University senior double majoring in global studies and
psychology. "It is a bit of a hassle and inconvenience that you have to go
through all of the security."

Another traveler, who travels as much now as she did before, dislikes the
hassle with screening.

"It has become more inconvenient and uncomfortable with all of the
screening," said Vanessa de los Reyes, an SJSU senior majoring in global
studies.

Despite longer lines and heightened security, some travelers have not
changed their opinions regarding airplane traveling.

"My feelings haven't changed about traveling," said de los Reyes, who
travels two or three times a year. "I think people in general are more
paranoid, skeptical, but nothing has affected me personally."

Some travelers have continued to feel safe while flying.

"Usually I feel safe, but there is always that thought that maybe, what if,"
said Kamath, who recently traveled to India.

According to Dressler, everyone receives the same treatment at all airports.
All travelers now are required to take off their shoes and put them through
the X-ray because of the liquid bomb plot, in which terrorists planned to
mix chemicals with a gel-like substance to create a powerful explosive that
could be ignited, last month.

"The biggest benefit for a traveler is predictability," Dressler said.

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