The need for enhanced security within domestic as well as international airlines can no longer be an issue for debate. Bearing in mind the security threats that Americans and their interests all over the world are faced with, it is imperative that deliberate federal measures in terms of appropriate legislation be put in place to enhance the security of people while travelling (Shane, 2007). Of particular interest is the security within airlines operating within the country as well as across borders. Although many reasons might be cited for new measures, however controversial, to be put in place to enhance airlines security, the main reason is the 9/11 terrorists attack which sadly happened because airline pilots failed to overpower the hijackers of their respective planes (Carafano, 2007). After it, many incidents have happened, further exposing the country to danger. This paper argues for the passage of legislation that would legalize the arming of airline pilots so that they can protect themselves and their passengers in order that incidents like 9/11 could be averted.
Post 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: the Likelihood of Occurrence
A key starting point for this issue is to evaluate the threat levels that airlines in particular and American citizens and interests in general are faced with. An accurate and succinct evaluation of the federal government’s level of preparedness after 9/11 suggest that there is a higher threat of another attack of the same nature than at any other time (Shane, 2007). The creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the passage by Congress of a number of legislations aimed at giving security agencies more power to access information regarding suspected terrorists are just enough indicators that there is a possibility of a repeat of the 9/11 incidents (Shane, 2007).
That aside, airlines have been subjected to more security requirements, and travel advisories by the federal government against certain suspected