Airline security
Encyclopedia
Airline security refers to the procedures and infrastructure
designed to avoid security
problems aboard aircraft
. A related area is airport security
. Security for air travel is primarily based in airports. Exceptions include security measures aboard aircraft of the Israeli El Al
airline which include undercover armed security guards, as well as secure cargo holds, and United States airlines that use sky marshal
s on some flights.
. Identification cards that identify a person as an airline or airport employee, or authorized personnel are the most common measures (For example, the ASIC
in Australia).
Another critical security measure utilised by several regional and international airports is the use of fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection systems. A perimeter intrusion detection security systems allow airport security to locate and detect any intrusion on the airport perimeter, ensuring real-time, immediate intrusion notification that allows security personnel to assess the threat and track movement and engage necceassary security procedures.
Sensitive areas in airports, including airport ramps and operational spaces, are restricted from the general public. Called a SIDA (Security Identification Display Area
) in the US, these spaces require special authority to enter.
The issue of security aboard aircraft assumed prominence after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A controversial decision in the United States
has been to allow pilots to carry handguns for personal safety. As well as proposals to strengthen airport security
, United States Congress
spent $250 million to reinforce the cockpit doors on commercial aircraft. However, in some aircraft, these cockpit doors remain open due to restricted ventilation in the cockpit.
s and all other objects used for knitting are permitted to be carried on airplanes with the exception of scissors
and other cutting blades, which must be placed in checked baggage. They were banned after the September 11 attacks, but reinstated in 2002. In Canada, knitting needles are allowed on airplanes. In Great Britain, knitting on aeroplanes was banned after the September 11 attacks, but was allowed again in 2005 after the aeroplanes had more secure cockpit doors. In France, knitting needles are considered dangerous and are not allowed on airplanes. In New Zealand, knitting needles were banned after the September 11 attacks but, in 2005, they were permitted again. Australia banned knitting needles after the September 11 attacks, and did not allow them again until 2009.
Infrastructure Security
Infrastructure security is the security provided to protect infrastructure, especially critical infrastructure, such as airports, highways rail transport, hospitals, bridges, transport hubs, network communications, media, the electricity grid, dams, power plants, seaports, oil refineries, and...
designed to avoid security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
problems aboard aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. A related area is airport security
Airport security
Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime.Large numbers of people pass through airports. This presents potential targets for terrorism and other forms of crime due to the number of people located in a particular location...
. Security for air travel is primarily based in airports. Exceptions include security measures aboard aircraft of the Israeli El Al
El Al
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd , trading as El Al , is the flag carrier of Israel. It operates scheduled domestic and international services and cargo flights to Europe, North America, Africa and the Far East from its main base in Ben Gurion International Airport...
airline which include undercover armed security guards, as well as secure cargo holds, and United States airlines that use sky marshal
Sky marshal
A sky marshal is an undercover law enforcement or counter terrorist agent on board a commercial aircraft to counter aircraft hijackings...
s on some flights.
Precautions
Security devices include metal detectors, watch dogs, and guards that do random checks. Many airports now use advanced forms of identification such as a security identification display areaSecurity identification display area
Security Identification Display Area, or SIDA, is a special security area designated by an airport operator in the US to comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements directed by Federal Aviation Regulation part . An identification system must be used in this area...
. Identification cards that identify a person as an airline or airport employee, or authorized personnel are the most common measures (For example, the ASIC
Aviation Security Identification Card
An Aviation Security Identification Card is an Australian identification card that shows that the holder of the card has undergone a security check and is suitable to enter a secure area of an Australian Airport...
in Australia).
Another critical security measure utilised by several regional and international airports is the use of fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection systems. A perimeter intrusion detection security systems allow airport security to locate and detect any intrusion on the airport perimeter, ensuring real-time, immediate intrusion notification that allows security personnel to assess the threat and track movement and engage necceassary security procedures.
Sensitive areas in airports, including airport ramps and operational spaces, are restricted from the general public. Called a SIDA (Security Identification Display Area
Security identification display area
Security Identification Display Area, or SIDA, is a special security area designated by an airport operator in the US to comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements directed by Federal Aviation Regulation part . An identification system must be used in this area...
) in the US, these spaces require special authority to enter.
The issue of security aboard aircraft assumed prominence after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A controversial decision in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has been to allow pilots to carry handguns for personal safety. As well as proposals to strengthen airport security
Airport security
Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime.Large numbers of people pass through airports. This presents potential targets for terrorism and other forms of crime due to the number of people located in a particular location...
, United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
spent $250 million to reinforce the cockpit doors on commercial aircraft. However, in some aircraft, these cockpit doors remain open due to restricted ventilation in the cockpit.
Restricted objects
Since September 11, restrictions have been placed on taking objects aboard planes that could be used as weapons or to make a bomb.Knitting needles
In the United States, knitting needleKnitting needle
A knitting needle or knitting pin is a tool in hand-knitting to produce knitted fabrics. They generally have a long shaft and taper at their end, but they are not nearly as sharp as sewing needles. Their purpose is two-fold...
s and all other objects used for knitting are permitted to be carried on airplanes with the exception of scissors
Scissors
Scissors are hand-operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such as paper, cardboard, metal foil, thin...
and other cutting blades, which must be placed in checked baggage. They were banned after the September 11 attacks, but reinstated in 2002. In Canada, knitting needles are allowed on airplanes. In Great Britain, knitting on aeroplanes was banned after the September 11 attacks, but was allowed again in 2005 after the aeroplanes had more secure cockpit doors. In France, knitting needles are considered dangerous and are not allowed on airplanes. In New Zealand, knitting needles were banned after the September 11 attacks but, in 2005, they were permitted again. Australia banned knitting needles after the September 11 attacks, and did not allow them again until 2009.