The infamous terror attack of 9/11, 2011 dictated the federal government to rewrite airport security and freedom. The Federal Government assumed the responsibility of airport security by forming US Transportation Security Administration. According PBS (2011) civil liberty activists assert that the screening in the airports has changed thereby limiting the freedom of the passengers.
The airport guidelines obligate security personnel to limit the movement of non ticketed visitors beyond the airline gates (Bell, 2003). The name in the passenger’s ID must match the name on the ticket. It is a requirement that passengers must remove their shoes at airport checkpoint. The luggage of the passengers must pass through a special screening machine. This regulation extends to limit the carrying of liquid beyond 3.4 ounces past the checkpoints (Boston. com. 2011). Moreover, passengers carrying special items in their luggage must pull them out from the baggage and expose them for screening.
With regard to racial profiling, the airport security agencies have adopted changes that ensure that all passengers are screened and frisked equally. Previously, it was characteristic of airport security checks to concentrate on people of Asian and South American descent. This move, which was challenged by human right activists, was later challenged by FEMA and other anti-terrorist agencies, prompting the people in charge of airport security to consider all passengers and airport visitors equally as potential terrorists (ALPA, 2012). The 9/11 attack taught American security forces a lesson – that terrorism is perpetrated by international terrorists and not Islamic extremists (Bell, 2011).
References
ALPA. (2012). Aviation Security: 10 Years after the 9/11 Attacks. Retrieved on 9 January, 2014 from http://www.alpa.org/portals/alpa/pressroom/inthecockpit/ALPAIssueAnalysis_10YearsAfter9-11Attacks.pdf
Bell, W. (2003). How Has American Life Changed since September 11? Journal of Futures Studies, August 2003, 8(1): 73-80.
Boston. com. (2011). Airlines security policies post 9/11. Retrieved on 9 January, 2014 from http://www.boston.com/news/nation/specials/sept_11_anniversary/gallery/changed_airline_security_policies?pg=2
Nomani, Q. A. (2010). Airport Security: Let's Profile Muslims. Retrieved on 9 January, 2014 from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/11/29/airport-security-lets-profile-muslims.html
PBS. (2011). Drastic Changes in Airport Security After 9/11 Stir Controversy. Retrieved on 9 January, 2014 from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/terrorism/july-dec11/safeskies_09-08.html
