Our Skies.. Safe Enough??

     I saw it on TV.. Yes indeed, I was shoked, I was terrified !!

A decade ago, I was a fresh mechanic at the Saudi Airlines' huge maintenance base in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The base was attached to a major airport where my fellow mechanics and I could really see the prompt consequences of the attacks although it was +6000 miles away from it! No air facility in the whole world was an exception; all were places of actions and reactions.

     With no doubt, the 2001 attacks have deeply impacted the industry in a way that we all knew that it's not going to be the same anymore. Security has not become the major concern only for air transportation, but also went to include all means of transportation. As a result in 2001, TSA was created to "protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce" (TSA mission statement). Add to that, in 2003, TSA transferred from DOT to DHS. Since then, all these changes and much more details in terms of tailored security measures and procedures have been the #1 concern for all air travelers not only nationally but also internationally.

     If I'm to determine the costs and/or benefits of today's security measures, I would say that yes, skies are more secure today than in 2001 and the public is more aware now than anytime else in the past. However, at the same time, this public is paying higher prices in both; financial and significant aspect of it everyday in returns of that safety and that security. On the other hand, financial crises that followed the attacks, from a management perspective, were so harmful to the industry to the extent that aircraft delays thus customers’ dissatisfaction peaked in 2000-2001. Actually, to take a closer look on how has 2001year financially impacted the industry; here is a good study published in a conference by an MIT professor who discussed impacts on the airlines industry.

     In addition, I particularly wanted to comment on those precautionary measures that take place over crew members at airports and check points. A lot of people especially crew members themselves find it so irritating and unprofessional to overwhelm crew members with the same, if not more intense, security measures applied on passengers. While there should be some consideration for flight crews. So, as we all move forward toward safer skies, in my opinion, there are four major lessons in security over the last decade:

1) Governments are obliged to protect lands, ports commerce and people. So there are no excuses not to perform the duty of protection and early detection of any potential threat on the mentioned categories. Now the US TSA has been doing a great job since the attacks and we all could see how those sincere efforts prevented crimes that would affect the industry again.
2) In regards to how concerned authorities should carry out the job?? There is no yes or no answer to that question because simply, we have all the trust in our officers that they are doing the best they can to do it. Besides, I believe that they are working on improving methods and techniques to ultimately achieve the goals they are existed for. In fact, as we read in the Israeli security article, measures around the world have been nastier and are no more felt easy on other crew members and travelers. I believe that the TSA and other concerned agencies are doing a great job in comparison to those internationals. Add to that, the American aviation industry is a pioneer and a much more developed than its peers outside. So, with all these intense measures globally, the US skies, airports and planes are safer and much controlled.
3) In my point of view, public awareness is the first line of defense and authorities are becoming more knowledgeable of that and that's obvious from the efforts done to enhance public awareness & cooperation as a strategic partner for the governmental success.
4) Flight crews must not be excluded at any time from these requirements. Terrorists and planners behind them could easily use crew members in a way or another as transporters of guns, bombs or any other prohibited items if they know that crew members are subjected to less precarious measures. Government agencies realized this as a fact and acts everyday at their maximum power to deal with it at every check point and on each crew member, passengers and even on airport staff.

     As a conclusion, we must always accept that there is nothing as 100% risk-free aviation. Plus, as we appreciate governments’ role and effectiveness, they must focus on all possibilities of risk and should avoid security policies driven by emotional reactions. Also, as I see, public awareness is a key when it comes to both; the nation and everybody’s safety and security.