Social Effects of Aviation - Term Paper Example

Social Effects of Aviation and the Impact of Science on the Social Order in Relation to Living in an Air-age Introduction The development and operation of heavier-than-air flying machine also, known as aviation, has grown spectacularly since the Wright Brothers successfully flew the world’s first man-carrying, engine-powered, heavier-than-air machine, aircraft. Of all means of transportation, aviation is the fastest growing, thanks to the high speeds and low operating costs of jet airliners. The annual global growth rates of aviation (total number of kilometers flown by all passengers) were approximately 10% in the 1960s and were approximately 5%-7% in the 1990s (Whitelegg, 2000). In fact, global tonne-kilometers (total weight of freight carried multiplied by the distance flown) increased by a factor of 23 as against the global domestic gross domestic product, which increase by a factor of 3.8 (Whitelegg, 2000). It is also forecast with unconstrained growth in the aviation industry, that air travel will double between 2000 and 2020 and triple in 2030 (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Postnote, 2003). Concurrently, there has been increase threat especially from the world of terrorist on the aviation industry. This threat has led to the implementation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening to ensure that certain items and persons prohibited from flying do not board commercial airliners (Elias, 2011). This spectacular growth in the aviation industry is associated with some social effects which have either beneficial or adverse effects in the society. This growth in the aviation industry is mainly concentrated in certain societies in the world, for instance, North America, Europe, some parts of Asia and South America (Zinnov LLC, 2007) thereby suggesting a cultural influence on the growth of the aviation industry. This article seeks to answer some questions associated with the growth of the aviation over the decades. First, what are the social effects of aviation? Second, how does culture affect the aviation industry? Third, what is the evolutional trend in the societal perception of air travel as a means of travel? Last, what is the societal opinion of the TAS passenger screening policy given that there is the issue of privacy rights? Discussion Social Effects of Air Travel Indeed, air travel has impacted socially on humanity, changing not only the human relationship but also human culture. Like the interstate highways that reduce continents to global cities, air travel has likewise shrunk the world to a global city. For instance, with the advent of air travel, the connectedness between people increases considerably. Air travel makes it possible for people to connect easily with far away family members and friends. The business arena was also affected positively as business partners across continents can meet face-to-face to carry out business deals within days. Related to this connectedness between people is the improvement in communication. By the late 1930s, the airlines carried mail from coast to coast thereby improving the speed of communication and the connectedness between friends, family members and business partners (Hudson, 1972). Indeed, with the advent of the air travel, people became global citizens and can enjoy the excitements and cultures of societies other than theirs. Indeed, people can travel to far away resort centers for holidays. Air travel led to the growth of the tourist industry. Also affected is entertainment industry and arts. The enthrallment and allurement of air travel has been reflected in the literature. Many pilots have written about their careers. For instance, War World 1 hero, Eddie Rickenbacker wrote about their exploit during the World War 1 (Rickenbacker, 2001). Many children books feature famous military pilots as well as civilian pilots, and later astronauts. Related to literature are arts dealing with aviation. For instance, the Renaissance humanist, Leonardo da Vinci illustrated his notebooks with sketches of flying machines. With the military aviation, accomplished artists were commissioned to design posters in order to recruit pilots. Aviation artists also created paintings of flying planes that are hung in art galleries, and on walls of museums as murals. Hundreds of movies and television shows have been influenced by aviation. Aviation movies depict the everyday persons, which signify the transition of an industry dominated by the rich and famous to an industry where ordinary person fix in. Most of the movies themes include war adventures, romances, hijacking, as well as terrorism. Music has also reflected its share of the aviation influence. This music ranged from classical works like “Flight of the Bumblebee” to military march like “Off we go into the wild blue yonder”. Cultural perspective on air travel Defined as set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group, culture plays an important role in the development of the aviation industry. In different societies, different opinions are held regarding air travel. Although, air travel is viewed favorably in almost all parts of the world as the fastest and exciting means of transportation, its safety is still in doubt in most parts of the world especially in the developing nations. In fact, the aging aircrafts that dominate the aviation industries in these parts of the world has compounded fear of air travel (Zinnov LLC, 2007). Plane crashes, though common in all societies, also worsen the fear of many people concerning the safety of air travel in these developing countries. Indeed, in many parts of Africa, air travel is viewed as a risky means of transportation. Furthermore, the increasing threat from terrorist organization on air travelers has also make many people in certain cultures especially in North America, and Europe to view air travelling as a risky means of transportation even though they still cherish the excitement of flying (Elias, 2011). Furthermore, most cultures in the developing countries associate air travel with wealth (Zinnov LLC, 2007). Indeed, air travel correlate significantly with wealth as exhibited by the size of the industry in affluent societies of the North America and Europe compare with the industry in poverty-dominated societies of Africa, South Asia and South America. Given the level of poverty in certain cultures such as Africa and Latin America, air travelling is considered a luxury and as such wastes of hard earn money. Evolution of society perception of air travel The early years of air travelling floundered due to such mishaps as the aircraft catching fire and other aircraft disasters (Hudson, 1972). The numerous mishaps led many people to view air travelling as a risky adventure. Great improvement in the design of aircraft was made during the World War II and air travel becomes relatively safe compare with other means of transportation. Thus many people were eager to fly. Immediately after the World War, military airfields built for the war effort were afterwards sold to cities, which were eager to open their own commercial airports. Airplane manufacturers such as Douglas and Boeing built new airplanes with pressurized and heated cabins. Suddenly airplanes could fly above bad weather and mountains, where the air and thus the ride were smoother. In 1940, three million Americans flew. By 1956, 55 million flew (Hudson, 1972). Furthermore, the early years of air travelling was also marred by the relative high cost compared with other means of transportation such as the railway. Air travelling was considered expensive and of course remains the most expensive means of transportation till today. For instance, in the late 1930s, train travel cost only 1.3 cents per passenger mile and was still more comfortable. The average person usually couldn't afford to fly. The high cost notwithstanding, most persons in affluent societies of Europe and North America still afford it unlike in Africa, Latin America and South Asia where air travelling is regarded as a means of transportation reserved for the rich (Zinnov LLC, 2007). TSA's passenger screening policy: societal opinion With growing threat from terrorist organization towards the international aviation industry, TSA introduced whole body imaging (WBI) systems at airport checkpoints around the United States. These systems, which are referred to as advanced imaging technology (AIT) systems, capture an image of what lies underneath an individual’s clothing. Critics have referred to this as a “virtual strip search.” If an individual considers this screening method too invasive or revealing or prefers not to undergo AIT imaging for any other reason, TSA provides the option of submitting to a pat-down search instead. TSA does not exempt individuals from screening procedures on the basis of religion or culture. Therefore, an individual must agree to either WBI screening or a pat-down search, even if these methods conflict with religious beliefs or cultural practices. Polling data indicate that about 75% to 81% of Americans support the use of AIT at airport checkpoints (Condon, 2010). However, AIT has met with objections from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which has urged Congress to ban the use of whole body imaging technologies as a method for primary screening on the basis that passengers expect privacy underneath their clothing and should not be required to display highly personal details of their bodies (Elias, 2011). In the United Kingdom, questions have been raised about whether whole body imaging of children violates child pornography laws. Works Cited Condon, S. (2010, November 15). Poll: 4 in 5 Support Full-Body Airport Scanners. Retrieved May 18, 2011, from CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20022876-503544.html Elias, B. (2011). Changes in Airport Passenger Screening Technologies and Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions. Washington DC: Congressional Research Service. Hudson, K. (1972). Air Travel: A Social History. Totowa, NJ: Rowman and Littlefield. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Postnote. (2003). Aviation and the Environment. London: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technolog. Rickenbacker, E. V. (2001). Fighting the Flying Circus: The Greatest True Air Adventure to Come Out of World War I. New York: Doubleday. Whitelegg, J. (2000). AVIATION: the social, economic and environmental impact of flying. London: Ashden Trust. Zinnov LLC. (2007). Global Aviation Markets - Analysis, Challenges & Opportunities for Global Carriers. The Woodlands: Zinnov LLC. Read More