American Airport Security Vs Japan Airport Security - Essay Example

American Airport Security Vs Japan Airport Security American Airport Security System: Transport Security Administration (TSA) increased the extent of bodily inspection by introducing ‘whole body image’ (WBI) that uses x-rays or millimeter waves to scan passenger’s body. The objects that are dense, such as numerous folds of clothing, etc show up as ‘anomalies’. But the question raised is whether this machine can detect explosives hidden in private areas. Other areas of concern are the comparatively less speed of WBI, the fact that people with medical concerns are ineligible for such concerns, health concerns as images are generated from x-rays, etc. Some of the passengers strictly object to the pat downs in addition to the WBI scan as the agent has to come in intimate contact with the passenger. Also, TSA is trying software that won’t show body images, but still show the anomalies. Still, these measures are not enough to deal with health and other concerns. (Riley, 2011) After 9/11, several measures were taken to make the security procedures better. Most importantly, the passengers learnt their lessons from the attack that they have to be more careful on the flights and in situations like suicide or bombing attacks, they must take steps to try and handle the situation themselves. Like in the attempted attacks by Richard Reid 2001 on American Airlines, the passengers along with the crew assisted to disrupt the happening (Riley, 2011). The improved visa process under Visa Waiver Program (VWP) that does not allow residents of other countries to travel without a passport to United States has also contributed to passenger security. For the visa as well, the applicant has to provide explained information about themselves, such as family, work details, etc. They might also get interviewed personally for the visa. If any wrong information is provided or if there is any suspicion, then even the greater cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and the intelligence agencies makes it highly likely to find out more about such entries. Additionally, the airlines have reinstalled cockpits to limit the access to commandeer a forced attack (Riley, 2011). To make the program more travelers friendly and trusted, some initiatives can be taken. For instance, the passenger can be given a security clearance issued by the U.S. government to study foreign ties. A person-specific data that contains full information of frequent travels can come in handy. Such profiles can be used to check the passengers that travel more often by air by standard measures prior to the extensive ones, WBI and pat downs. This would save time, as well as keep the system efficiently working. Such people are less likely to be involved in any terrorist activity, since the terrorists would have a profile with comparatively less frequent air travel. Programs, such as SENTRI, for travelers who would want a quicker clearance through airport allow them to get pre-approved for entry into the United States. They have to provide their basic information, pay fee and give finger prints for the clearance. This helps in a thorough check up of their backgrounds and links (Riley, 2011). Apart from all the steps taken, there is a downside to this story as well. For example, with increasing strictness in security check, the public is growing more uneasy. Moreover, they are paying more for the security staff like TSA agents and their technology. Increase in cost of flying is repelling people to prefer road travel to air travel which can affect the air travel industry adversely. (IB Traveler) In 2001, the Aviation Security Biometric Working Group checked the use of biometrics in four different aviation security purpose; firstly, to identify the employees and making sure that access to secured areas within an airport is only restricted to authorize employees. Secondly, protecting public areas inside and around the airport, thirdly, to identify and verify passengers boarding aircraft, and lastly, identification of flight crew. In 2002, TSA signed the contract with International Biometric Group to examine the use of biometrics for automatic security within airports and issued traveler cards for passengers and to verify employees for access control in airports. (Rhodes, 2004) Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the US Congress has ordered a wide use of Biometric Authentication System. For instance the ATSA, (Aviation and Transportation Security Act), which formed TSA and made compulsory many actions designed to increase aviation security which includes several conditions regarding the use of biometric system, such as perimeter security or access control. (Rhodes, 2004) The effects of TSA airport security measures are many but the most important one is the increased inconvenience are the arrival of passengers for domestic flights on airport two hours before the scheduled departure timings. The other effect is the hand searches of passengers’ carry-on baggage. They are prohibited to carry non dangerous things, like nail cutter or metal thing, which seems more inconvenient for the passengers and it is becoming a hassle for them. Business travelers now prefer to stay at home due to the security measure and because of these airlines are suffering huge lose. But on the other hand, they value increased security, as after the attack of 9/11 passengers are willing to pay high prices in order to have a safe and secure flight. This has increased their confidence in travelling and this may increase demand for more air travel. Baggage screening has also created inconvenience for the passengers, as there is chance of theft or destruction of baggage during this process. It depends on the size of the airports. At large airport there may be congestions in baggage screening but, on the other hand, large airports are more flexible to control the passenger disruption. TSA’s passenger security system is more strict than the process it replace but this strict system is more time consuming and increase inconvenient for the passengers to pass through. (Blalock, Kadiyali, Simon, 2007) Japan Airport Security System: After the 9/11 attack, security systems were changed all over the world, especially in Japan, where they immediately started to invent new security systems to prevent such terrorism attacks. They invented two new equipments at that time to prevent terrorist attack: Explosive Traced Detection (ETD) and integrated Explosive Detection System (EDS). ETD is the extremely sensitive scanning device, as at the checkpoints the security screeners swab a piece of luggage or few puffs are being released in the air on the passenger to check, and then ETD tells about the passenger whether it has detected any particles of explosive on messenger or on his luggage. If the particles of explosive are detected, alarm will be raised. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) is responsible of aviation security management and it follows the principles of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nation. According to Annex I7 of ICAO, JCAB founded the National Civil Aviation Security Program in 2004. JCAB assist this national policy to their airline agencies. The airline companies follow the NCASP and their commission security companies for implementing the security screening which follows the demands of NCASP correctly at security checkpoints in Japan Airports. (Udagawa) In Japan, airlines and security companies are privately owned, so they don’t have legal position and authorities. But still Japan Airlines takes security measures. Airlines always bear cost of airport security which is increasing for committing several extra screening security measures. Monster passengers are also considered as dangerous. They are those passengers who disturb the discipline on airport or during boarding. In order to handle them, cabin crew is trained with tactical skills and different techniques. The number of incidents decreased in 2001, but after 9/11 attack the number has increased. In order to prevent such incidents the law has been enforced in 2004. Monster Passengers are found not only in flight but in airport too. These passengers also sometimes act at security checkpoint screening, which may become obstacles to the safe flight. To have a safe flight, the security screeners plays important role. These security screeners are known as “skywall”, as they protect against monster passengers and terrorists. They are at the front line of the border and require special skills for proper security screening and for having a safe flight. Security screeners at checkpoint do a lot of extra screening, for instance, shoe, liquid, and computer screening. As the security companies are private, so they screen the passengers and their luggage when they obtain a passengers’ permission. Thus, monster passenger put more pressure on airlines. (Udagawa) In 2001, at Narita Airport, the e-airport concept was introduced which aimed to turn the airport more technically advance. This project was set up by government and it consists of five systems and services: e-Navigation, e-Tag, e-Check-in, Airport Net, e-Information. (Konishi) Since 9/11, the security at airports has increased and new technology and methods have been introduced. One of them is biometrics authentication technology which provides positive and automatic authentication of physical characteristics of passengers that are, of course, different of each individual. E-check is other biometric authentication system which aims the digitization and automation of check in and boarding procedures, along with the authentication of individuals. The main purpose of this system is to provide customers effective and time shortening way of security system at specific areas of the airport. (Konishi, 2004) Some of the items are being checked during check in to ensure security which is; passport should be legal, passenger is the only one mentioned in the passport and then the passenger should board the plane but should not be replaced by anyone else. To accomplish this, a passport reader is used to check the authenticity of passport, while the face authentication technology is also used for the verification of the passenger face as compared with the passport. (Konishi, 2004) Passport is verified using a passport reader which detects the authenticity of a passport, whereas there is face authentication technology which verifies the passenger as the one that appears at passport photo. These are few steps of feasibility experiment during check in: 1) Participation registration via Internet: Participation registration is done via internet on the air carrier’s website from there they send a participation coupon which contains the reservation information at the address of passenger. 2) Acquiring biometrics information and issuing a boarding pass: The check in is conducted at check in terminal installed at check in counter where the participation coupon is checked; there is also face authentication system. There the passport is verified and then face authentication of passenger is also required before issuing a boarding pass. After it the two-dimensional coded facial information is included in the boarding pass, and then passenger is allowed to board. 3) Security checks procedure: There is a security checking terminal which is used for the authentication of an individual passenger at security check area. There is two-dimensional coded facial information provided on boarding pass for authentication. 4) Boarding process: Again at the boarding, the authentication of passenger is checked at boarding gate terminal using the two-dimensional coded facial information provided on boarding pass. Then after authentication they cut off the part of boarding pass and facial information is being checked after this process. (Konishi, 2004) In July of 2008, Narita International Airport is done with the installation of an in-line screening system in order to examine checked luggage. This system will replace x-ray inspection machines which are used at passenger check in. Also, the advance inspection equipment which automatically checks is installed on conveyors that carry checked luggage from counters to planes. The baggage collected at check in counter on the departure floor is carried by those conveyors to the other floor which is blow. There they inspect the suitcases by EDS equipment. It quickly conducts a proper scan of luggage and also can easily detect the explosives. In departure lobby, there is a wide space created because of the removal of x-ray inspection machine from check in counter area. It has reduced a lot of passengers waiting time. (Airport News Japan, 2008) Conclusion: After the heartening incident of 9/11, there were several short term regulations introduced but the more important ones were the long term changes. Immediate consequence was the background check of more than 750 000 airport employees, placement of a larger number of investigative staff, extensive search and scanning of all the checked baggage. Under the more long term effects, the passengers are now more closely restricted to the amount of baggage and hand carry they can take with them. Addition of new agencies to overlook the security enhancements was inevitable. As much as the vehicles arriving at the airport are meticulously checked and rechecked, no matter if they are to see the passengers off or to receive them. The security systems are proving to be costly in Japan. As they have privately owned security companies, it is getting difficult for them to afford such a high cost flight. Every year advanced technology is introduced to avoid such attacks, and it is getting more difficult every year for passengers to travel confidently. They get conscious about carrying things with them. These security measures are getting on nerves of passengers, but they are the things which have to be looked after. Entire crews of airports are highly trained and strictly ordered to take actions against any kind misbehavior or suspicion. References: Riley, K. J., & Rand Corporation. (2011). Air travel security since 9/11. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Rhodes, K. A., United States, & United States. (2004). Aviation security: Challenges in using biometric technologies: testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives. Washington, D.C.: U.S. General Accounting Office. Blalock, G., Kadiyali, V., & Simon, D. H. (January 01, 2007). The Impact of Post-9/11 Airport Security Measures on the Demand for Air Travel. Journal of Law and Economics Chicago, 50, 4, 731-756. How 9/11 changed the Way we Travel. IB Traveler. Konishi, H. Utilization of Biometrics Authentication Technology for Airport Security. Sole In-line Security System in Japan at Narita Airport Complete, Airport news Japan. Udagawa, T. Study on security management against weapons of Mass Destruction. Udagawa, T. Study on Airport Operation Management with the Balance between Airport Security and Airport Service. Read More