Essay On Life In America After 9/11

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, airport security went through major changes and procedures. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which oversees airport security

In this paper, I will try to demonstrate how drastically the security in airports has changed since the attacks occurred on September 11, 2001. September 11 is a day that probably every single person on this earth either remembers or at least knows about. The airports have had some of the biggest changes in how humans travel this earth. Every country has their own way of securing their airports, but they all have made changes in some way, shape or form. The question I have recently asked myself is; are these changes actually going to keep us safe when we fly? Can anyone really answer this question with 100 percent truthfulness? I personally do not think it is a question

“After 9/11, the airport security became very strict and has over time, tried to become more efficient and practical for travelers.” said Jotterand.

Air Travel is one of the main things that was majorly affected by 9/11. One of the main components of air travel that had changed was security. Almost immediately after 9/11 the government issued Aviation and Transportation Security Act which then lead to Transportation Security Administration, TSA for short. Because of this security check became stricter and new procedures were introduced and enforced. Some of these new procedures are as the following: weapons and destructive item checks, only passengers with tickets were allowed to go through and pass security, restriction on liquids and contaminants in luggage, and guidelines passengers must follow.

The September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks forever changed the way our air travel industry operates. It affected the government, the airlines, airports, employees, and passengers alike. There was not as much of a threat of terrorism before 9/11, so airport security was not nearly as thorough, and at times intrusive as it is today. Through the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, the evolving threat of terrorism has not been successful in carrying out another 9/11 style attack.

The late 1990’s into the early 2000’s was a time of great economic success that took a turn for the worst as the war against terrorism began. In America, the economy was at its peak especially on Wall Street until September 11th 2001. The attacks that occurred on September 11th deeply affected America. The attacks caused the Dow to drop tremendously along with causing the recession to deepen. America was led into of the biggest government spending periods in a long time. The cost to fund the war along with to rebuild the economy held a toll on all Americans. America had to dig itself out of a hole. Unlike the economy, technology was on the rise. Many new inventions such as wireless internet, mobile devices, and new forms of social media were created.

According to Jason Villemez of the PBS News Hour, there were immediate changes to airport security following 9/11. Within 2 months of the attacks, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was passed. This law requires that every single bag is screened at airports andrequires that certain procedures are followed at every airport (Swickard). Before 9/11, scissors, baseball bats, darts, and 4-inch-long blades were allowed, but these are now illegal under the ATSA (O’Connor). The Aviation and Transportation Security Act also created the Transportation Security Administration known as the TSA (Tognotti). Each airport had to supply their own security before 9/11, but with the creation of the TSA, the government supplied security for airports (Villemez). Gabi Logan of USA Today found that the increase in security including baggage checks caused a six percent decrease in the number of passengers. Passengers chose not to travel at all or found a different way to get to their destination. While security in airports was significantly increased, 9/11 also affected millions of Americans involved in the war on terror”.

Flying out or in of the country or even within has become more challenging since the 9/11 attacks. It takes more time to get through security which makes for a much earlier arrival time for those flying. Most airlines require an arrival two hours prior to their departure time. Many Americans have stopped flying altogether because of the hassle of airport security and out of fear. Before the attacks, airport security was more relaxed. Basic security measures were in place, but it was much different than today. Before the attacks, security screenings were set in place by the private companies, many which were outsourced to different security companies. Passengers were allowed to bring certain size blades, scissors, baseball bats and even sewing needles. All of these items have since been banned as a result of the attacks. Since the attacks, the Transportation Security Administration was created and the security screenings are now regulated by the federal government. Through TSA, passengers bags are checked for banned items, they screened for suspicious behavior, the explosive detection system was implemented, and the full body scanner is now used to check passengers. According to Rick Seaney, “Our security ought to stop anything these days, stringent as it is: We've gone from the metal detectors of the 1970s to post-9/11 body scans and enhanced pat downs. Cockpit doors are now fortified, and the sky

Prior to 9/11, the security at airports were more passive rather than aggressive in how procedures were performed. Waiting areas were getting extremely crowed, security guards rarely checked luggage, and only acted on the X-ray systems going off. Planes were far more likely to fly with unsold seats. The cockpit door was usually wide open and there were no air marshals. Baggage fees only kicked in after the second bag, so most people checked luggage rather than carrying it on the plane. The only things you could buy on most flights were phone calls and alcohol. The large areas were where security need to be reinforced the most. Many people would often be hired to act as if they were part of security. "They were often unable to detect

The first major change that took place after 9/11 was more security was created. For example, the screening that happens now wasn’t as intense as it is now. It seems as if you are stripped from everything before entering the security screening process. Prior to September 11, 2001 you only had to show you’re identification card. You were even allowed to carry on knives and scissors. Although I do not remember this because I was only 4 years old, but my mother told me that only a curtain was used to separate the area of passengers from the pilot. Now, at every checkpoint you are asked to show you’re identification. We could board the planes without removing clothing, shoes or belts, but now you have

The tragic event known as 9/11 affected many people in the United States and worldwide. The loss of family/friends/loved ones, the search for Osama bin Laden, financial changes, increase in military, and the damage of New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C changed many peoples lives. The one thing that affects almost every single person, is the change in airport security throughout the United States.

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2011 prompted the world to reevaluate and drastically modify airport and airline security. “Four targets had been chosen, all iconic American buildings that would send a clear message of the depth of their hatred for the United States. All four planes crashed, killing all on board—terrorists, crew members, and passengers, along with hundreds who were killed inside the structures, on the ground, and the men and women who ran into collapsing buildings in an effort to try and save others” (Smutz 1). As Jason Villemez said “the decade after the 9/11 attacks reshaped many facets of life in America” (Villemez 1). Before the attacks, people did not think that large scale hostility towards innocent people in

America was not a complete mess with orphaned children and cows roaming around like in The Crucible however, there were still transformations from before to after the mass hysteria of 9/11. A short term effect caused by mass hysteria were hate crimes towards people of the Islamic faith. According to the FBI, anti-Islamic hate crimes spiked by 1,600 percent with 481 incidents during 2001. Another major change was the increase in airport security. A month after 9/11 the Transport Security Administration, also known as the TSA, was founded. The TSA made the following rules to create traveling by plane more safe: more specific ID is required, shoes must be removed at checkpoint, all baggage must be screened, no liquids above 3.4 ounces are allowed past the checkpoint, and enhanced pat downs. Immigration is another long term change that occurred after 9/11. In fear of other terrorist attacks the funding for immigration was increased, many criminals were removed, and regular police officers were turned into immigration officers. Although many of the precautions taken were reasonable, some were

On September 11 2001, an attack was made on United States. Four systematic terrorist attacks were pulled off by the group al-Qaeda simultaneously bringing down the World Trade Centre in New York and damaging the Pentagon in Washington D.C. As extensive and in depth as the cause for the attack may have been, September 11 is an event that has undoubtedly left its mark in American history. A turning point, as some would call it, of the political, social, and economic systems of the United States. Quickly following the terrorist attack on 9/11, President George W. Bush called for a “war against terrorism.” Instead, what truly occurred was an act of counter terrorism. After 9/11, the political system of America took a turn for the worst;

On September 11, 2001 the World Trade Center buildings one and two were attacked. However, who we were attacked by and even if we were attacked is a hard decision to make. There have been many different claims about how everything on that fateful day happened. There are facts that we know are true, though; Flight 11 flew into the North Tower at eight forty- six in the morning. Soon after, Flight 175 attacked the South Tower. By the end of the day, both towers had collapsed and other hijacked flights had caused damage. The amount of lives lost on September 11 was substantial; 2,749 people from eighty-three different countries died from the attacks (Facts about the attacks…, n.d.). All in all, America was changed forever.