The Final Word
A Personal View
expressed by Georgina Graham
“... in the Chinese Zodiac, the Ox is said to be
unswervingly patient and possesses the ability to
achieve great things. As we approach our task to
make One Stop Security a reality, will we be brave
and steadfast enough...”
Can I still say “Happy New Year”? Maybe something about them? Let’s take properly functioning aviation system
even with journalistic licence it is a little security screening. How many journeys that permits us to focus our efforts on
too late as far as the Gregorian have you undertaken that involve real threats must be based on an
calendar is concerned, but my heart is changing aircraft at a second and third element of trust. Unfortunately, as far
full of the joys of spring and new airport, and regardless of the screening as aviation security is concerned, the
beginnings. Not to mention that the you have undergone at your airport of regulatory environment of recent years
sights and smells of Chinese New Year origin, you are screened again when you has been permeated by a fear-based,
celebrations replete with dancing transit? Many I am sure. In fact in knee-jerk mentality that erodes trust
dragons and agile gymnasts still Europe, North America and Asia alone, and focuses on unilateral measures.
reverberate with great clarity in my this type of process affects upwards of Unlike our dear friend the Ox, there is
mind as millions of people around the 100 million passengers per year. It is no method here, but alas only
world recently celebrated the start of illogical, time consuming and costly. madness.
the year of the Ox. And why does this happen – because of In the Chinese Zodiac, the Ox is said
People born under this sign are said that age-old concept of Sovereignty. to be unswervingly patient and
to be born leaders, inspire confidence Government “A” does not trust the possesses the ability to achieve great
and are methodical and practical. Will procedures put in place by Government things. As we approach our task to
this be a year in aviation security that “B“, even when the outcomes of their make One Stop Security a reality, will
inspires confidence in our passengers screening procedures are exactly the we be brave and steadfast enough? We
and will our regulators be methodical same. So we end up duplicating know that some regulators have seen
and practical so that we can all benefit redundant measures and processes. the light and have taken steps to secure
from a fresh new year, a clean slate, a We need no reminders that our their borders by opening their minds to
second chance! How many New Year industry does face a very real and co-operation and collaboration.
resolutions are broken within the blink credible threat, but it is one that must Considering that this concept is nothing
of an eye, but were made with the best be managed in a dynamic yet new – ECAC (European Civil Aviation
of intentions? Of course I have made my systematic way. And yes it is true that Conference) first discussed this in the
own personal resolutions for 2009, and complacency is the friend of those that late 90’s – is it not time, in the words of
it would take another article to tell you mean our industry ill – yet duplication Shakespeare, to screw our courage to
what they were, how they have of measures squanders precious the sticking place? Step by step, we
materialised and whether I am on track. resources, alienates the travelling must bring together like-minded States,
What if I was the one chosen to wave public and checkpoint and screening with mature aviation security systems in
the magic wand? What would my New staff and causes unnecessary delays place, until we reach the tipping point
Year Security and Facilitation and burgeoning costs. and One Stop Security success so that
resolutions be? So what would I write at the top of my before the next Year of the Ox comes
Cue the dramatic music – drums roll newly clean slate? One Stop Security – around, we can say we consigned these
and cymbals crashing… Would it be too a process whereby passengers, redundant and costly measures to the
much to ask that instead of just talking baggage and cargo that have been rubbish bins of history. One more thing
about taking a risk-based approach, adequately screened at the airport of – Gung Hay Fat Choy!
instead of pontificating about our woes origin need not be re-screened at a
– liquids, aerosols and gels, baggage connecting airport. Did the world
re-screening, delayed flights, security suddenly fall apart, did all our borders
queues, laptops, shoes, duty free, belts, come crashing down around our ears, Georgina Graham is Director, Security &
coins (heads, shoulders, knees and and did we speak the words that should Facilitation at the International Air
toes!) – we actually dare try to do be left unspoken? A resounding NO! A Transport Association (IATA).
48 Register now for FREE instant access to ASI online by visiting www.asi-mag.com February 2009 Aviationsecurityinternational
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