On a global basis, few major industries have been as affected by the growing menace of terrorism as has civil aviation. This article explores the expanding role of private security in protecting the domestic air transportation system against the threat of terrorism and how that role is being performed. Concern is increasing that terrorist attacks of the type that have occurred in the Middle East and Europe may gravitate to the United States. In that event, the response would include immediate and significant requirements for additional private security personnel and equipment, possibly on a level comparable to the implementation of mandatory screening in 1973.
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References
1.
1. Brain M. Jenkins, “Statements about Terrorism,”The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 463:12 (Sept. 1982).
2.
2. U.S., Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, “U.S. and Foreign Registered Aircraft Hijackings Statistics 1961 to Present,” updated 1 Jan. 1986, pp. 1-134.
3.
3. Interview with Eastern Airlines security executive, Miami, FL, 27 June 1985.
4.
4. U.S., Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Semiannual Report to Congress on the Effectiveness of the Civil Aviation Program: January 1-June 30, 1986 (Washington, DC: Department of Transportation, 1986), pp. 3-4.
5.
5. Ibid., p. 15.
6.
6. Air Transport Association, Protecting Air Transportation from Hijacking and Sabotage (Washington, DC: Air Transport Association, 1985), p. 1.
7.
7. “Miami Airport Security Scores High,”Tampa Tribune, 23 June 1987.
8.
8. U.S., Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Semiannual Report to Congress on the Effectiveness of the Civil Aviation Program: January 1-June 30, 1985 (Washington, DC: Department of Transportation, 1985), p. 3.
9.
9. U.S., Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, “U.S. Registered Aircraft Hijacking Statistics 1961 to Present,” updated 1 Jan. 1987, pp. 3-6.
10.
10. Interview with Dr. L. O. Malotky, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC, 12 Jan. 1987.
