Lead Editorial
Innovation
& Courage
Required:
leaders and trailblazers sought
by Philip Baum
t this year’s IATA/ACI AVSEC technologies will be integrated therein, but Indeed, whilst the rest of the world fears
A
World, industry movers and most of the countries hosting such the arrival of (U.S.) Transportation Security
shakers gathered for their gatherings find themselves bogged down Administration inspectors on foreign
annual shindig. A chance for in a quagmire of regulations that are, if shores on missions to certify and sanctify
old friends to catch up, discuss, anything, backward in nature rather than their airports, the inspectors would do well
berate, applaud, bemoan, progressive. So, from where will the to remember that people who live in glass
debate, postulate, question, benchmark, sell, desired leadership emerge? houses shouldn’t throw stones.
buy and learn. Whether inside the conference One naturally turns to the United States. Israel is often lauded as being the home of
hall, huddled away in private meetings, on an Whilst the country has invested huge sums aviation security best practice, but it is nigh
exhibition stand or quaffing a drink in in research and development and on impossible to replicate their approach
Vancouver’s aquarium, many of the manufacturers seek US approval and elsewhere granted the size of the aviation
deliberations taking place, privately or publicly, certification of emerging technologies, industry. And, one could also argue that any
had an unnervingly similar undertone – America can hardly boast a state-of-the-art attempt to do so would be overkill and grant
change is urgently needed. aviation security system. Checkpoint our foes a further tacit victory.
Speaker after speaker emphasised the observation, supported by data from pitiful Europe appears convinced that the
reality that our current screening test results, reveal a disturbing picture as emphasis must remain on passenger
processes are in need of an overhaul. No to the quality of screening effectiveness. screening and regulating accordingly, with
longer should we be screening all the United Kingdom, once an
passengers for all prohibited items and no internationally respected leader in the
longer should we be bolting on additional “…aviation security field, demonstrating that even pan-
security measures to an antiquated European harmonisation of security
system. There has to be a better way. systems that could be procedures remains an illusive goal. Much
The regulators are in an awkward of the criticism is unwarranted and
position. Should they be proactive and sold by Thai market unjustified and actually exemplifies the
introduce measures to counter plots yet to risks of going it alone, but we must all hold
be discovered, they will be vilified for traders as being ‘Same, our hands up and admit that we have built
responding to unproven threats and, a system that will be proven to fail by the
thereby, over-regulating. If they remain same. But different’! millions of travellers, who deem
reactive, they will have to withstand themselves to be aviation security experts,
potential ridicule for always being one step Variations on a theme, that are calling in to radio chat-shows with
behind the terrorist. their latest stories.
Whilst our industry needs regulating, showing little ingenuity, Sadly, due to political and economic
there is a desperate need for a more pressures, much of the rest of the world has
innovative approach to practical security each aiming to satisfy simply followed suit. Popping up, around the
measures on the ground. There have been globe are aviation security systems that could
many conferences and seminars that have the regulators rather be sold by Thai market traders as being
considered what the airport of the future “Same, same. But different”! Variations on a
will look like and how emerging security than enhance security…” theme, showing little ingenuity, each aiming to
2 December 2007 Aviationsecurityinternational
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