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| Restrictions on Air Travel |
Ever since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, a common fear for people getting on airplanes for travel has been the fear of terrorism. But why? The government and airlines have all taken precautions since the attacks to limit the risks, and make sure that an event like September 11th will never happen again.
Whenever you go to the airport now, your greeted by security messages on the intercom, and what some people call "an invasion of privacy" during the TSA screening process. Yet this process is here for your safety. Most of the procedures in place during this screening process result from past incidents, such as removing shoes due to the shoe bomber, or full body scanners due to the incident that happened in Detroit last year around Christmas. The items that are prohibited on an airline, while sometimes not necessary to be in place, do help save lives. Would you want the passenger sitting behind you to be able to carry a knife? How about mix chemicals together to make an acid or other type of explosive compound because they were allowed to bring liquids on an plane? By limiting the amount of liquids one can bring on a plane, it helps limit the risk. The procedures put in place by the TSA have, and will prevent terrorism in the future.
But what if a terrorist did get on your plane? What would happen? Well, after 9/11 the US Government added Federal Air Marshals (FAM) to some airlines, who are allowed to carry guns. The thinking is that in the event of an emergency, these Air Marshals can confront the person and confine the situation. According to the TSA, Federal Air Marshals "They blend in with passengers and rely on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public." They are the best of the best when it comes to their job. Yet Air Marshals aren't the only ones carrying guns. Some pilots are also permitted to carry guns now on a flight, to defend themselves if a terrorist made it into the cockpit and tried to hijack the plane, like what happened on September 11th. Since September 11th, there has not been an incident that the crew has not been able to calm down. Commonly, if there is a security issue, the pilots will also be notified and the closest landing spot will be determined so that the crew can land the plane and police forces on the ground can come aboard and calm the situation if necessary.
Overall, the fear of flying due to terrorism should be a fear that is non-existent, due to restrictions and safety precautions put in place due to lessons learned from past events.
4. Transportation Security Administration. 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons. 2011. Washington. Web. 2 Nov 2011.
The image that was published by the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA regards information on carry ons. The image states that one cannot carry more than 3 ounce bottles of a liquid onto an airplane, and that the bag size that these containers can be in is limited to 1 quart, in one carry on bag per person.
3-1-1 for Carry-Ons relates to my blog posting by showing the limits that are placed on travelers in regards to liquids and bag size. The image is straight, and down to the point, providing a visual representation of the limits to the viewers of the blog to see and easily distinguish for themselves.
5.socom308. "Federal Air Marshal Qualification Drill with Sig 220."Youtube. Youtube, 7 April 2011.Web. 2
In this Youtube video about Federal Air Marshals, it is demonstrated the skill that Federal Air Marshals have. The person in the video is able to shoot off several rounds, and reload quickly just like he may have to do in a real shoot off situation on an airline in the event of terrorism.
This Youtube video about Federal Air Marshals relates to my blog by demonstrating the point I made in my blog about how qualified Air Marshals are. They are trained to be the best of the best, as pointed out by the TSA and react quickly in unusual situations that are presented to them in the event of an emergency.
6."Federal Air Marshals." TSA.gov. 2011. Transportation Security Administration. 2 Nov 2011.
This website sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration provides information on Federal Air Marshals, and their training. In it, the TSA lists Air Marshals as people who blend in with passengers, and rely on their training, such as terrorism, firearms proficiency, and close quarters combat to protect air safety and passengers in the skies.
The information provided on this website relates to my blog by allowing myself to show to the readers background information on Federal Air Marshals. I can show the training they have to my readers. To me, this is a fair representation of Federal Air Marshals, based on my experience as a pilot and knowing how Air Marshals work.
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