Posted by You know the drill: Unless you’re TSA Prechecked, you’re going to have to take off your shoes and jacket, remove everything from your pockets, and deal with a thorough pat down before proceeding through security. But why is it so strict? What are the risks of not being as strict as they can be? Let’s find out by taking a look at some of the reasons cops have to be so strict at airports.
Bombs are Getting Smarter
One of the reasons cops have to be so strict at airports is because bombs are getting smarter. For example, instead of using a timer, a bomb could be triggered by a change in barometric pressure. This means that a plane can be booby-trapped on the ground before takeoff.
Terrorists are also using non-metallic materials to construct their bombs, meaning pat-downs are less effective at detecting them. And because the threat is evolving, the need for airport security to adapt and stay one step ahead is crucial, lest we see a return to the days of the shoe-removal policy.
Flights are Tightly Scheduled
Another reason why cops have to be so strict at airports is that flights are tightly scheduled.
Modern airports are extremely efficient, with flights leaving and arriving every few minutes.
By being strict and ensuring that everyone who has clearance is inside the secure area, things can run smoothly and efficiently. If there are people who don’t have clearance outside the secure area, the opportunity for someone to breach security is increased. This could result in a situation that could cause the flight to either be delayed or canceled. This can be bad especially when you’re having vacations abroad, like the islands of Korea.
Confidential Information is at Stake
Airports are often used as meeting places and transfer hubs for diplomats and other individuals with confidential information. While we hope that nothing untoward takes place, it’s important to have procedures in place to ensure that sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
For example: If a diplomat is carrying sensitive information, and they are approached by someone claiming to be with the police and requesting a meeting, it’s important that the person be able to verify their identity and that their information is kept confidential.