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US airport security has not improved since 2003
Security at US airports is no better than it was two years ago, according the country’s security chiefs.
In 2003, investigators said security was so lax it was possible to smuggle knives, guns and fake bombs past airport screeners, but the Department of Homeland Security said there had been little improvement since then.
In a new report, the Office of Inspector General at the DHS said airport screeners were hard working, but let down by technology.
“Despite the fact that the majority of screeners with whom our tests came into contact were diligent in the performance of their duties and conscious of the responsibilities those duties carry, the lack of improvement since our last audit indicate that significant improvement in performance may not be possible without greater use of new technology,” said the report.
The investigation took place between November 29 and February 4, although the report does not specify which airports were tested or how many weapons got past security.
Some $30 million has been allocated for the purchase and installment of 147 ‘explosive trace portal machines’ for the 40 busiest airports in the US, while $174 million is in the 2005 budget for research and development of new technology.
Meanwhile, the recent US ban on cigarette lighters aboard passenger planes has been criticised by aviation experts.
Chris Yates of Jane’s Transport said of the ban, which does not include matches: “It is going to do nothing. It’s part of a public relations exercise which has gone on since September 11 2001. It is to convince the travelling public that something is being done about security. They have banned a lot of inoffensive items from aircraft and the list is ludicrous.”
The latest US measures are thought to have been prompted by British ‘shoe bomber’ Richard Reid, who tried unsuccessfully to ignite an explosive hidden in his shoe on a flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001. However, he used matches.
In the UK, security measures were relaxed yesterday (April 25). Passengers can now carry knitting needles and nail scissors of a certain size, as well as metal cutlery on flights.
Ginny McGrath
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