Aviation Security - General Thread

[News Guru]

Re: Airport Security

[textarea]Full body scanners to be installed at UK airports?

The use of full-body scanners across UK airports looks more likely as fears of retaliation after the killing of Osama Bin Laden grow, according to news reports today. Currently a small number of the scanners are used at Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham airports but the Daily Mail reports that Whitehall has said that they could be rolled out nationally in response to heightened fears of terrorist attacks in the wake of the al Qaeda leader’s death.

Civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the so called 'naked' scanners, as it is possible to make out the nude outline of a passenger with the scanners. However, Manchester Airport have reported an almost universal acceptance of them, with only a handful of passengers refusing to be scanned and only two of those over concerns about the use of the image (the others were on medical grounds).

The news of Osama Bin Laden’s death is also thought to have strengthened the case put forward last month by British Airways chairman Sir Martin Broughton’s that UK airports should employ a narrower, more focused approach to screening, rather than the current 'one size fits all' approach. He said that the age, background, country of origin and travel plans of passengers should be used by security officials to decide how they carry out their checks.

Source[/textarea]

 

[Aviador]

Re: Airport Security

It is normally the airports themselves that bare the burden for the cost of airport security. I wonder if the government is going to pay for the cost of implementing new body scanners or will the airports have to foot the bill?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Airport Security

The government is pleading poverty and demanding cutbacks in almost every sphere in which it has responsibility, except for overseas aid (I won't start ranting here). Oh, and trying to get rid of that man in Libya.

When the body scanners were first mentioned it was said the 'viewers' would be away from where the passengers were being scanned and so would not be aware of their identity.

That might placate most people. I can imagine many being embarrassed if the security officer was sitting next to you as your bits were put on display on his/her screen.

Also the 'viewer' was supposed to be of the same sex as the passenger being screened.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Airport Security

[textarea]Airports on alert as Al Qaeda plots to implant bombs in fanatics to beat body scanners

AIRPORTS are on high alert for al-Qaeda terrorists plotting to blow up jets using “body bombs” surgically inserted in them.

Attempts are being made to implant explosives into the abdomens, buttocks and breasts of suicide bombers so they can pass undetected through new airport body scanners.

US security experts have warned airlines and airport authorities about the new threat in a secret memo seen by the Daily Mirror.

They fear fanatics could inject a detonating chemical into themselves to trigger the bombs.

Aviation security expert Chris Yates said yesterday: “This is a logical next step for extremists. They are already experts at making undetectable bombs and we have seen cases where al-Qaeda has used bombs concealed about or in the body.

“As soon as we improve our technology, bomb-making experts come up with something new. A body scanner would not penetrate deep enough to detect devices like these.”

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... z1RJtP0bBR[/textarea]

Very worrying times ahead if al-Qaeda terrorists decide to carry out this kind of attack. New ways of detecting explosives may need to be developed to combat this kind of threat

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Re: Airport Security

Great Move. Make the paranoid even more paranoid. Why can't the US just keep there crazy stupid idiotic ideas to themselves.

 

[News Guru]

Re: Airport Security

[textarea]Government announce airport security changes

Passengers could be spared the chore of removing shoes, belts and having to unpack their laptops when they go through security at UK airports under measures to be announced today. The Telegraph reports that the 'sweeping changes' will give airports flexibility to use technology to carry out inspections that infuriate millions of people every day.

The newspaper says that, within Whitehall, there is a concern that airports are forced to go through a checklist of security measures by rote. This checklist, which demands a specified proportion of passengers remove their shoes and insist that all computers are removed from carry-on luggage, will be scrapped.

The new plans, which will be unveiled to MPs by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, will encourage airports to invest in new screening devices to cut the time needed to get through to the departure lounge. Theresa Villiers, the aviation minister told the Telegraph: ‘What we are looking for is a better security outcome and we want this done in a more passenger-friendly way’

The proposals to streamline security will be unveiled by the Government at the same time as it publishes proposals to improve airport efficiency, drawn up by the South East Airports Taskforce, a body representing the industry and senior DfT officials established shortly after the election. Having ruled out building a third runway at Heathrow, the new Government set up the group, to make airports ‘better not bigger’.

Ministers have accepted its call for a trial overhaul of how Heathrow’s runways are used when flights are disrupted by, for example, bad weather or ash. The change would mean that instead of each runway being allocated for departures and the other for arrivals, one would be allowed to handle both to ease the backlog. Immigration will also be streamlined with greater co-operation between airports and the UK Border Agency, aimed at cutting the delays faced by passengers getting in the country.

Source[/textarea]

 

[News Guru]

Re: Airport Security

[textarea]New training standard for airport security staff

UK airport security staff are to get better training thanks to a new set of standards brought in to help cope with the influx of passengers expected in 2012, travelmole reports. For the first time, airport security staff will be able to take a new qualification geared towards their specific role - a Level 2 Diploma in Aviation Security from the City & Guilds and Edexcel.

The new skills framework for aviation security has been developed by GoSkills after extensive contribution from key employers. Debbie Thompson, training development manager at airport operator BAA, told the online news service. ‘A review highlighted some clear skills gaps including that of a qualification requirement for staff working in aviation security - a highly regulated section of the industry with stringent training requirements. This new qualification should prove highly motivational and also a benefit for security staff, as well as for airport management and passengers.’

Source[/textarea]

 

[News Guru]

Re: Aviation Security

[textarea]US 'foils new underwear bomb plot' by al-Qaeda in Yemen

The US has foiled a plot by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to detonate an upgraded version of the failed 2009 "underwear bomb", US officials say.

The alleged device was seized in the Middle East after a CIA operation in Yemen and is being studied by the FBI.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17985709[/textarea]

 

[News Guru]

Re: Aviation Security

[textarea]Airlines Call For Us Security Checks At UK Airports

UK airlines believe there is a “commercial appetite” for the introduction of US security checks at airports such as Heathrow which would allow travellers to fly to the states as if they were domestic passengers.

British Airways, Monarch and Virgin Atlantic were among carriers at a meeting in London earlier this year with government and US Embassy officials, who expressed support for the idea of establishing United States Customs and Border Protection, such as those in place at Shannon and Dublin airports, in the UK.

Full story: http://airport-world.com/news-articles/ ... k-airports[/textarea]

 

[News Guru]

Re: Aviation Security

[textarea]Yemen bomb-makers 'working on new devices'

Bomb-makers in Yemen are determined to develop ever harder-to-detect devices to smuggle on board planes bound for Western countries, according to Whitehall officials.

The number of British airports with security body scanners is now being doubled, from 10 to 21, in response.

Three years ago, a bomb sent from al-Qaeda in Yemen was found on a plane at East Midlands airport, disguised inside a printer. Another reached Dubai airport.

Since then, a further device was discovered in Yemen in May 2012. So just how serious is the threat?

In the airline security business, they call them Artfully Concealed Devices: sophisticated bombs, mostly non-metallic with a hard-to-detect, "low-vapour explosive" like pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), disguised inside ordinary, harmless items like shoes, underpants, soft drink bottles or even printer ink toner cartridges.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25206462[/textarea]

 

[News Guru]

Re: Aviation Security

[textarea]Magazine explaining how to build a BOMB while you wait for a flight pulled from shelves in UK airports
The feature appeared in technology and science magazine Wonderperdia
It lists items which can be bought in duty free to make explosives

Several UK airports have been selling a magazine which contains an article explaining how to build a bomb while you wait for your flight.

According to the feature in Wonderpedia, which was written by Evan Booth, 31, from North Carolina, £120 of items can be bought in duty free after passing security which can be used to make explosives.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z2vOxw6f68[/textarea]

 

[Aviador]

Re: Aviation Security

Madness!

 

[News Guru]

Re: Aviation Security

[textarea]Kenyans warned against traveling through Heathrow

Travelers were urged to use alternative routes like Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Amsterdam and Addis Ababa “in order to minimize the risk and avoid possible delays.”

NAIROBI, Kenya July 12 – The Kenyan government on Saturday warned its citizens against travelling through Heathrow Airport, London following a potential terror threat, officials said and urged travelers to go through alternative routes.

A statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the warning was issued following information provided by US officials who have warned that terrorists were planning to bring down a plane in London.

Read more: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2014/07 ... -heathrow/[/textarea]

 

[Producer]

Hallo, I have a question. According to the European Regulation (EC) No 300/2008, even airport staff has to undergo screening procederes before entering critical parts of security restricted areas. Under point 1.3 the regulation reads as follows:

"1.3. Screening of persons other than passengers and items carried
1.
Persons other than passengers, together with items carried, shall be screened on a continuous random basis upon entering security restricted areas in order to prevent prohibited articles from being introduced into these areas.
2.
All persons other than passengers, together with items carried, shall be screened upon entering critical parts of security restricted areas in order to prevent prohibited articles from being introduced into these parts.".

I work at the airport Düsseldorf (Germany) and have to undergo security screening every day as it is done in all european countries, even in Asia. Now man question:

Do airport staff at all airports in the USA have to undergo security screening before entering security restricted areas?

I am asking because the training staff told us that they don't have to.

Is that really true.

 

[Aviador]

Re: REGULATION (EC) No 300/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Welcome to Forums4airports!

Good question. I don't know the answer but I suspect the US will be subject to similar restrictions as here in the EEC.

 

[User0001]

Re: REGULATION (EC) No 300/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Staff in the USA do have to undergo a security check.

In some smaller international USA airports, notably San Diego, ground staff are also overseen by law enforcement officers around the aircraft.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Aviation Security

The UK government has this week increase it's threat level to Severe meaning a terrorist attack is highly likely.

 

[RebeccaWebb]

Until about a generation ago airport security consisted of a cursory passenger passport but more often a formal customs baggage check.
However, since the Dawson’s Field hijackings in 1970 and especially since 9/11 in 2001 a variety of checks are now part of the airport security matrix. Passport checks are supposed to cover all passengers both inbound, and more recently, outbound, not only to confirm right of entry but also to restrict human trafficking, serious criminals, paedophiles, trade in endangered species, pathogens and rare artefacts. Freight is no less involved but is often dealt with on a risk based approach, which requires a different set of procedures away from the airport arrival area.

The management of the airport security process is complicated. Competencies vary between government departments and countries and coordination is needed between them to ensure the wrong people or goods do not “slip through the cracks”.

This conference will provide delegates with an update on what has changed since 9/11 and what is likely to change in the medium term, especially as air passenger and freight growth is expected. On the one hand requirements have increased but the public is always close to rejecting measures that are not perceived as working or take too long.

The speakers will give their perspective on what is being done to raise security standards without causing more burdens for airports, operators, passengers and traders. If growth occurs both criteria must be met.

For more information, including the programme and registration, please view here:http://aerosociety.com/Events/Event-List/1736/Airport-Security-Raising-Standards-Easing-Burdens

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.

Rebecca Webb
Conference and Events Organiser
Royal Aeronautical Society

[email protected]

 

[BSL-2km]

Airport security is an illusion.
People flagged as 'no fly' regularly travel whilst families going on holidays have their suitcases and belongings violated and confiscated.
Cancerous Radiation techniques have been shown to be ineffective against anything smaller than a pump action up yer jacket sleeve.
Millions of productive human hours have been lost in 'checks' at airports, business people for example commuting everyday.
The stress caused to passengers is immeasurable and totally disproportional to any perceived threat....
Reporters and journalists have smuggled things on-board aircraft to show weakness in systems.
Diplomatic and government bodies have immunity to many checks, and have been linked to suspicious activity regarding suspect passengers.

Who is the threat ?
What is the threat ?
Why are we the supposed target ?
Do you really think someones Y-fronts, or shoes for that matter, were designed to bring down an aircraft ?

In my honest opinion, it is all fear mongering,it is about control, it is big business and it is an illusion.

To make the world a safer place we must reach out, we must respect others and their beliefs, we must not plunder foreign lands to keep our fictional economies afloat. We must not invade, conquer and then abandon less technologically advanced nations, as this creates the problems for the future,,, perhaps the necessary problems for the future ?

In total how many 'events' have been foiled by airport security ??
It is not about security, it is about removing freedom.

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."- FD Roosevelt (1755)

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Security can never be one hundred per cent secure. Life never is when humans have an input. I often think that security at airports and at other vulnerable locations is sometimes more for show than effect, but I don't believe that society can just roll over, open the gates and say if you want to bring in your explosive devices please do so.

We have to make some attempt at stopping them, no matter how limited in scope.

The idea that nations, factions and people in general should live in peace and as good neighbours with everyone is an enticing thought but it isn't going to happen. It's that human nature again.