The intensity of aviation security worldwide has drastically increased throughout the years. In our midst of securing flights, we have incurred additional cost, created much confusion, instilled unnecessary fear and developed additional security layers all in the name of strengthening ourperceived security.

Let us consider Security from a cynical point of view, from the past to

the present and the future.

The past, the present, and the future………

A Security Christmas Carolby David Fielder

• We begin by looking at Security (Christmas)Christmas) past, so come on me on a journey of reflection

The dramatic increase in crimes of violence which adversely affected the safety of civil aviation during the late 1960’s, resulted in an Extraordinary Session of the ICAO Assembly in June 1970. On 22 March 1974 new rules designated as ICAO Annex 17— Security were put in place to safeguard civil aviation and its facilities against acts of unlawful interference.

“I’ve just discovered one of my ancestors was a security Goose for the Roman Army Air Security Wing”

Historical background and evolution of Aviation Security covering and data on acts of unlawful interference

Threat was mainly external in the past which is difficult to protect against, unless you are on board “Airforce 1”.

1999: Taliban commandos at a hijacked Indian plane that was allowed to land in Afghanistan

22 Nov, 2003, a DHL A300B4 took off from Baghdad Airport and at an altitude 8,000 feet, she was struck by one SAM-14 missile. All hydraulics were lost instantly.

Prior to 1985, the significant threat to civil aviation was seen as the hijacking. As a result Security tended to be focused towards preventing hijacking rather than sabotage, in-flight attack or facility attacks. By modifying existing technology the worldwide aviation community established a reasonably effective screening system for passengers and their carry-on luggage.

2001 changed all this!

On 7 December2001 Amendment 10 to Annex 17 was adopted by the ICAO Council in order to address the new challenges .

Physical Security is not enough, and we entered the world of cyber information exchange and checking

Pan Am Flight 103Increased security regulationsIdentified security flawsIncreased awarenessNew studies initiated Reinforced cargo containers and Hardened aircraft structures

ValuJet Flight 592Air cargo’s prohibited items listUndeclared hazardous materialsMislabeled shipments

September 11, 2001Shutdown of the National Airspace SystemHalt in air cargo shipmentsNew security regulationsCreation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

25 Dec 2009, a male passenger on flight Northwest Flight 253 (with Delta markings) bound for Detroit from Amsterdam tried to blow up the plane with an explosive device

On 3 June 1985 Air India flight 182 bound for London from Toronto with 307 passengers and 22 crew crashed in the Irish Sea. This was the result of a powerful explosion in the front cargo hold.

10 Feb 2006 : A 71-year old Japanese man was arrested at Manila airport after he claimed he was carrying two bombs; and on 16 Feb 2006 a bomb threat was leveled against an Air India flight en route from London

The last ten years or so have seen a dramatic change in aviation security.

Aviation Security is now a multi-million (billion) dollar business strongly supported by governments employing hundreds of thousands if not millions of people worldwide, not even including those employed in manufacturing the equipment used.

It has invaded our private lives either during our travels, or even creating a state of fear in our day to day travels on public transport depending where you live.

The question: Why would any government wish to withdraw, retreat or back down from the current war on terror?

Because we can never succumb to terror, and

Can we afford to?

Watch GDP or employment figures!)

A Security Christmas Carolby David Fielder

• So what of the present? Let the Ghost of Security present take your hand………

There are issues of physical screening of people and cargo coupled with background and paper traces and traces contrary to issues of personal privacy and the control of business critical information.

We should consider whether we have all gone too far and is the real threat to us what might result in the future?

Are our personal rights and privacy being eroded. – New body scanners?

Because of the shoe bomber we often have to take off our shoes.

The latest attempted bombing the person had the explosives in his underwear. Will we be required to prove our underwear has no secret weapons!

Is Security becoming too complicated?

Are we tying ourselves in knots?

Are we creating a nightmare with new rules all the time?

Do we leave gaping holes for thieves to step through.

Results of too many rules!

Despite global security events, until the mid 1990’s, Security did not impact on our daily personal lives to that much but existed in the background.

Today it impacts on every aspect of our lives, and especially so in the international movement of people and cargo.

To talk about security is opening oneself up to what is probably one of the most spoken about subjects, be it from the benefits of feeling safe to the hassles of security travel checks, and the endless business security declarations, all be it even more ironic in a world that is trying be paperless and fast.

This is epitomized by development of e-tickets, yet still there is the need to print pieces of paper to fulfill security access requirements to airports.

Heathrow airport – a personal reflection

Prohibited to take through security

Yet freely available in the Business lounges

A Security Christmas Carolby David Fielder

• So what of the future? Not really a reflection as more of a premonition. Let the Ghost of Security future take your hand………

So what are the main challenges for the future for freight forwarding industry

I think history has shown that challenges constantly vary as one is overcome another materializes.

Certainly there are challenges on how to meet all the varying security related regulations.

There are also challenges in balancing the ever increasing need for legal documentation covering cargo transportation such as security declarations, against a global move to be paperless and “green”.

In the foreseeable future, without doubt we will face increased security.

In the freight world we daily face more and more restrictions and controls, not only in transport to and from America, but also within global cargo movements. Yet all these security measures, such as 100% cargo physical screening cost money which eventually is passed to the end user; and create delays which in turn increase costs. So who benefits??

Yet although the world has gone through and still is suffering from economic collapse in 2008/09, it is ironic that security continues to grow and as a business is a survivor

As cargo flow lessened during the past years did we take this chance to rationalize what security is really needed? NO!

So where is the future?

For security are we talking about a global security force, a more powerful and real “United Nations”?

Where aircrafts have automated embedded bomb detection equipment?

Where ID cards and passport, etc., are replaced by embedded chips in our body?

Or are we facing a future where travel and cargo flow and movement is restricted due to increases costs and dwindling reserves of fossil fuels?

This may all sound far fetched, but in the 60’s so did putting a man on the moon or other planet as depicted on the film “2001 A Space Odyssey”, yet space travel and super computers are indeed a dream that has come true.

Can we believe what we are told?

In late April a few days before a deadline of May 1st the entire forwarding industry was advsie about the USA ruling on screening all cargo (not 100% but figure reserved) on all PAX aircraft and that carriers had been aware of this for months.

Yet not 8 weeks earlier on Mar 5, 2010, Gale Rossides, (TSA's acting director) stated that 100 percent air cargo screening was two years away on passenger airplanes into USA.

By 3Q this year the figure of 100% will probably be a reality so where will TSA look next? Cargo Freighters??

Will the EU consider following suite?

Those that know cannot speak due to Secrets. If we are to succeed we must develop transparency and “Circles of Trust“

SummarySo has all Security Initiatives made the world any safer? Or have we just moved into another phase of evolution?

Have we moved from the trenches of WW1 to the horrible bombs of WW2 to the gas and television warfare of the Gulf wars to radical non territorial based enemies of today who just wish to create terror in the name of ……?.... Who knows?

The future I believe in in our hands…. TODAY!

I close with the remarks of one of the Bali bombers….

“We were unlucky today;BUT

YOU must be lucky everyday”

and one final thought:

In today’s world have we come to a period in our lives where it would beimpossible to live without security, even if terrorism stopped, fraud squads and detectives became very efficient and reduced global theft significantly and so? I believe it is so engrained in our lives that it is here to stay no matter what.