Lead Editorial
America Takes
the Lead:
time for change?
by Philip Baum
ast year, two events in the Asia- 1988 Lockerbie disaster, despite the fact their American counterparts privately laugh
L
Pacific region demonstrated the that the suitcase in which the improvised at the inadequate security standards that
inherent weaknesses with our explosive device was concealed was exist around much of the United States.
current approach to aviation actually screened by X-ray in any case. The The international community seems to
security. In February, in New terrorist attacks of 11
th
September 2001 have resolved to “do as they say, not as
Zealand, there was an resulted in, at huge expense, enhanced they do”.
attempted hijacking of a domestic flight by flight deck doors and a reappraisal of It’s the front line that is my greatest
an armed woman who had to use little in prohibited items lists, to include bans on concern. In certain areas, especially with
the way of initiative to infiltrate her penknives and metal cutlery knives. regard to the research and development of
weapons onto the aircraft – there simply Richard Reid’s attempt to destroy an new technologies, and the testing thereof,
was no screening operation in Blenheim. American Airlines jetliner with a shoe bomb America truly is a global leader. Yet,
In March, in China, a China Southern three months later prompted the removal however one dresses them up, those
flight was the subject of an attempted act and scanning of footwear at checkpoints, operating the checkpoints around the USA
of sabotage through the use of an whilst the alleged liquid explosive plot of do little to inspire confidence and could
improvised incendiary device. Again, the 10
th
August 2006 saw the focus shift learn a thing or two from their counterparts
flight was a domestic operation. And the towards liquids, aerosols and gels. in Europe, Asia and Australasia.
attack, supposedly carried out by ETIM, If one were to try and establish the common The fault does not lie exclusively with the
was yet another perfect of example of the theme between the aforementioned cases, it American authorities. It’s also about time that
fact that “next time it will be different”. would be that they all involved flights within, to the international community started to wield
In both cases, it was the aircrew who or from the United States of America. its own axe by better auditing of US operations
saved the day. Despite the significant number of and highlighting their own best practices.
There was little international outcry as a incidents that have taken, and continue to Some states, especially those in western
result of either of the two incidents and take place around the globe, little changes Europe, do so, but aviation security is not a
many of those working within the industry, unless Uncle Sam is in the crosshairs. On NATO service; it is a global requirement.
let alone the general public, may well be one hand, one could argue that this is a Whilst we all want a degree of
oblivious to the details of the cases. Aviation positive initiative by the United States to try harmonisation of procedures, at least to the
incidents in China and New Zealand rarely to prevent repetitions. On the other hand, it extent that the travelling public know what is
make the international headlines. demonstrates that we do not really live in a expected of them when they check-in, we also
It is often stated that we are reactive. global village as far as aviation is concerned. want a generous helping of common sense
Most of the security measures we see in Let’s face it, most of the world follows the and initiative. We also need a reality check.
place today around the world are a result of American lead. Speakers from the For example, why did it take the 2006
specific “successful” attacks impacting the Transportation Security Administration are trans-Atlantic plot to down airliners using
industry or plots that may not have reached “A” List guests at conferences; technology liquid explosives to bring about restrictions
fruition being identified by the intelligence manufacturers often stake their all in as to the quantity of liquids, aerosols and
agencies. The introduction of mass gaining TSA certification; TSA inspections gels passengers can carry into the aircraft
screening at airport checkpoints by the use are looked forward to with trepidation cabin? Was the 2006 plot a new threat?
of archway metal detectors and X-ray overseas and, the US influence is Hardly; the very first confirmed act of aerial
machines was a result of the hijacking of considerable, to put it mildly, at international sabotage in 1933 involved nitro-glycerine!
aircraft both from the United States to organisations…especially ICAO. More recently, of course, was the
Cuba and from Cuba to the United States in This says more about America’s global downing of Korean Air Lines flight 858, en
the 1960s and 70s. The drive towards economic power than it does about the route from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok in 1988.
baggage reconciliation and the quality of security served up in the USA. The perpetrators used both plastic and
introduction of hold baggage screening on After all, the very same people and entities liquid explosives in their device. All 115
all international flights was fuelled by the around the world that extol platitudes to passengers and crew on board died. And,
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