Aviation security

From "McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology"

A multilayered, multidimensional means to safeguard passengers, crew, ground personnel, and the general public against acts of unlawful interference perpetrated in flight or within the confines of the airport. It specifically refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting aviation from crime or terrorism. Preventive measures are techniques and methods that are in place to prevent potential threats (such as terrorists, criminals, or explosive materials) from getting on the aircraft. All carry-on baggage is screened by explosive detection equipment or other appropriate means of detection, which could include trace-chemical detection equipment, manual searches, and bomb-sniffing dogs. The high cost of explosive detection machines may account for the approval by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the use of alternative detection systems. The screening of both people and carry-on luggage remains a controversial issue with security breaches occurring and travelers subjected to different rules from airport to airport. Changes being considered include replacing federal screeners with private screeners at some airports; implementing programs that use biometric systems to screen out potential terrorists; employing new explosion detection, trace-chemical detection, and bomb detection systems; increasing video surveillance; and installing more stringent cargo security systems that track airport workers in luggage and loading areas. Many improvements have been made in aviation security in regards to screening passengers and cargo for potential hazards. Various technological advances have been made to develop more rigorous explosive detection systems with highly developed surveillance systems. Defensive measures are systems and devices that are in place to defend against threats (such as terrorists, criminals, or explosive materials) that are on the aircraft or can attack the aircraft in flight. Many advances have been made in the development of sophisticated defense systems and devices. These advances are providing progressively safer service worldwide for passengers traveling by air transportation. See Air transportation. KATHLEEN M. SWEET

Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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APA Aviation security. (2006). In McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/conscitech/aviation_security

Chicago McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, s.v. "Aviation security," accessed March 10, 2013, http://www.credoreference.com/entry/conscitech/aviation_security

Harvard Aviation security 2006, in McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, USA, viewed 10 March 2013, <from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/conscitech/aviation_security>

MLA "Aviation security." McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Credo Reference. Web. 10 March 2013.