Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 12:30PM | Elianna Mintz
With the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 less than a week away, John Pistole, administrator of the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assured an audience Tuesday that security has greatly improved since that tragic day.
“Airport security at that time was limited, it was basic, and it was insufficient,” Pistole stated about pre-9/11 security at The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Before 9-11, the only source of security were metal detectors that picked up basic metal weapons and an elementary x-ray machine for carry-on luggage. Pistole said security had to adapt with the evolving technologies of those who have attempted to attack the U.S. soil.
“The challenge has become as terrorists have evolved, how have we evolved, and have we been able to stay at least a step ahead of them in terms of their ingenuity, their creativity, their ability to adapt and design conceal and deploy improvised explosive devices,” Pistole said.
When asked by TRNS if Americans are truly safer under today’s security standards in the nation’s airports, Pistole answered, “We are safer today than we were but it’s not a perfect system. There is no 100 percent guarantee.”
Pistole listed improved security measures that have been implemented that include advanced imaging technology at security checkpoints, explosive trace detection capabilities and advanced technology x-ray for bags. Additionally, bottled liquid scanners will soon begin to be seen in America’s airports so that by April 2013, liquid bottles will be allowed back on planes.
Pistole said that the TSA is working on a risk-based security initiative, which will do identity based screening for pilots and expedited screening for select trusted-travelers who pay fee to have background check performed by TSA.
TSA Head: Security Really Improved Since 9/11
With the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 less than a week away, John Pistole, administrator of the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assured an audience Tuesday that security has greatly improved since that tragic day.
“Airport security at that time was limited, it was basic, and it was insufficient,” Pistole stated about pre-9/11 security at The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Before 9-11, the only source of security were metal detectors that picked up basic metal weapons and an elementary x-ray machine for carry-on luggage. Pistole said security had to adapt with the evolving technologies of those who have attempted to attack the U.S. soil.
“The challenge has become as terrorists have evolved, how have we evolved, and have we been able to stay at least a step ahead of them in terms of their ingenuity, their creativity, their ability to adapt and design conceal and deploy improvised explosive devices,” Pistole said.
When asked by TRNS if Americans are truly safer under today’s security standards in the nation’s airports, Pistole answered, “We are safer today than we were but it’s not a perfect system. There is no 100 percent guarantee.”
Pistole listed improved security measures that have been implemented that include advanced imaging technology at security checkpoints, explosive trace detection capabilities and advanced technology x-ray for bags. Additionally, bottled liquid scanners will soon begin to be seen in America’s airports so that by April 2013, liquid bottles will be allowed back on planes.
Pistole said that the TSA is working on a risk-based security initiative, which will do identity based screening for pilots and expedited screening for select trusted-travelers who pay fee to have background check performed by TSA.