In a move that may be copied in Europe in future, the United States is implementing a more aggressive program to randomly screen selected passengers for additional security checks just before they board their flight. Passengers are pulled aside to be searched as they wait in line at the airport gate, despite the fact that they have already passed through security checkpoints. IDs or passports are checked once again and their carry-on bags are searched. The passengers are either selected at random or for what security guards think is suspicious behaviour. One of the motives for the program is the fear that airport workers, who are not screened at airports, could theoretically sneak weapons into the departure areas and give them to passengers who are planning criminal acts.

 

Stand By News, 2009-03-18