Aviation Security Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Aviation Security - Case Study Example The aviation industry has historically been an attractive target to terrorists; this is by far the most potent threat facing the aviation industry. Several steps have been taken to heighten security in the aviation industry. Security systems were first implemented in airports on a large scale in the 1970s after cases of commercial aircraft hijackings became common (Harris 2002). This involves usage of metal detectors to check luggage and passengers, scanning of passengers with metal detection wands, physical checks on luggage, interrogation of suspicious passengers and strict verification of identification documents. To some extent, these measures have succeeded in reducing the levels of insecurity that existed in the aviation industry. However, criminals always find other ways to defeat the system, as is evident in the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America and past airliner bombings. The current security policies and regulations in airports could be enhanced in order to become more effective. Security personnel in airports should be paid higher salaries, as a way of motivating them to perform well in their duties. They should also be better trained, since inattentiveness on their part could result in the smuggling of well-hidden bombs and weapons into aircrafts by terrorists. It is also necessary to subject these personnel to frequent background checks; there have been cases of staff assisting terrorists to commit their crimes. An example of this is the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, in which staff members aided terrorists by hiding weapons in the washroom; these were later used by the terrorists to carry out their deed (Harris 2002). Potential candidates for security personnel jobs in airports should be selectively chosen with regard to their ability to handle these jobs. Such criteria would include possession of cognitive abilities, abstract reasoning and alertn ess. Another feature that should be incorporated in