Istanbul airport was just bombed so how can we improve our airport security?

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:10:51 -0400

Going to the airport is a lot of "security theater." Istanbul was just hit at the security checkpoint where the lines form. I travel a lot and I am very swift to stay away from crowds and choke points, but that isn't the case for most people. So how do we improve our security?

How do we get the choke points cleaned up such as screening lines? A highly motivated and loose minded individual can come to a place like SeaTac and walk right up for a bloodbath while outside security. A well thrown hand grenade at Chicago while a plane taxi's over could mean the end of many passengers and perhaps drivers.

Is it going to come to people walking single file down a reinforced concrete path one at a time while basically stripping down and being cleared by snipers and a RAPISCAN? Will we move the bottleneck to the parking lot and install T-ray scanners at each door?

What can we do to make it less theater and more security?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 28 at 2016 6:13 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:13:11 -0400

Always a delicate balancing act. Needs of the Airlines and the Traveling Public vs Security. The most secure place is completely locked down no entrance, no exit, no access but that is self defeating to travelers. Glad I'm not responsible trying to find that Happy Middle Ground.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 28 at 2016 8:01 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 20:01:24 -0400

The Israeli's have the right idea. The route into airports should go 1-Parking lot, 2-Security, 3-Airlines and Ticketing. The most effective thing is trained Security Staff monitoring behaviors long before people make it to the terminal. You place explosive detectors (dogs and mechanical) in to the walk from the parking lot to Security. You also build natural containment areas into the walk from the Parking lot. Obviously you don't create choke points that mass people up before they go through security. Where/if you do need to have lines you prior to security, you place barricades to limit both blast effects and the effectiveness of small arms fire. Then place tall barricades between the lines. Heck, even Walmart knows to place tall barricades between their checkout lines.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 1:27 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 01:27:15 -0400

Do everything that El Al does. That's all it takes. Follow every one of their security rules. Not one single If, And, But, or Maybe..

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jun 30 at 2016 12:02 PM

SPC James Harsh — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 12:02:18 -0400

Some person being interviewed on the news criticized the shooting at the airport citing that the responding officer should of been trained to shoot the cerebral cortex to prevent the pbied detonation . So we can blame the response team in the future...