Stepped-up screening measures for passengers flying into the United States from 14 countries are now a permanent, albeit controversial, part of airport security.
We think it’s a prudent step in the world’s efforts to thwart terrorism on airlines.
The U.S. first imposed the more stringent security plans in airports in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, along with 11 others, after the attempted bombing of a Christmas Day flight to Detroit. The actions, which include whole-body imaging or pat downs and more intense screening of baggage, will continue indefinitely, and apply to passengers passing through the designated countries or carrying passports from those nations. Other travelers will be randomly screened.
We support the Obama administration’s tougher stance.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian accused of trying to detonate explosives on the Dec. 25 Northwest Airlines flight, allegedly smuggled the bomb in his underwear. He might have been stopped from boarding the plane had he been given a full-body scan, which can see objects beneath clothing. (Of course, had intelligence officials simply heeded all of the red flags about Abdulmutallab, he never would have gotten onto the plane.)
Some critics have protested the singling out of “countries of interest” or those that are known to sponsor terrorism, such as Iran and Syria. While we don’t believe racial profiling is appropriate, we also recognize that the current method of ensuring flight safety is nowhere near foolproof.
The failings of U.S. intelligence agencies to address evolving threats have been well documented, including numerous missteps in communication and misinterpretation of data.
Realistically, no one system should be — or can be — solely responsible for stopping terrorism or terrorists who continually alter their methods of attack. But still we must use all sensible methods to detect concealed weapons or chemicals and explosives.
Even now in U.S. airports, passengers from a dozen designated countries are subjected to second, more thorough screenings. And some travelers are stopped if officials believe they detect even a hint of a threat.
Preventive measures such as these can be inconvenient. But by now, we’re used to bomb-sniffing dogs, removing our shoes for screeners and using miniature bottles to carry shampoos — no matter how silly some of those steps may be. Until we have the resources and technology to swiftly and thoroughly inspect all travelers and their bags, piecemeal actions must suffice.
All countries must collaborate to do whatever is possible to thwart extremists attempting to carry weapons or dangerous materials onto airline flights to the United States. And if they don’t abide by these rules, then travel restrictions, including the halting of flights from those nations into the United States, should be considered.
