Airport Security Survey

Grace CollinsEmily MaxwellChristy English

Since September 11, 2001, airport security measures in the United States have greatly intensified. Some argue that the largest number of Americans have been affected in the post-9/11 world by the nation's airport security changes. These changes include:

• required full-body scan

• OR required full-body pat down

• smaller quantity of carry-on liquids allowed

PROS:

• Increased sense of security for many travelers 

•  Fewer terrorist attempts

•  Full-body scans are much quicker than pat-downs (15-30 seconds)

• Employs many people through the TSA

CONS:

• Lengthy security procedures if searched extensively

• Some travelers often feel they are searched extensively without cause

• Many feel violated by full-body scans and pat-downs

• Security checkpoints in other countries are not the same, so prevention only works in one direction

• Racial profiling

• Technology is still not sufficient enough to detect all possible weapons

II. Subgroups

Subgroup A

• Characteristics:WhiteBachelors degree or higherAge 30 years or olderRegistered voter

Subgroup B

• Characteristics:Middle EasternEconomic status: middle Age 16 or olderNon registered voter

Subgroup C

• Characteristics:MaleWhiteIn collegeAge 18 or older

III. Survey

Question 1

• Since 9/11, has your comfort level changed while on a plane?

Possible answers: not at all, somewhat, significantly, I have not been on a plane since 9/11

• Subgroup A expected response: somewhat• Question 1: ranged between somewhat and significantly• Subgroup B expected response: somewhat• Question 1: not at all• Subgroup C expected response: somewhat• Question 1: not at all

Question 2

• Have you ever felt violated going through airport security?

Possible answers: yes, before 9/11, yes, after 9/11, never, I always feel violated

• Subgroup A expected response: never• Question 2: a bigger portion said that they never feel violated• Subgroup B expected response: yes, after 9/11• Question 2: yes, after 9/11• Subgroup C expected response: never• Question 2: never felt violated

Question 3• Have you cut back or considered cutting back on

flying because of new airport security measures?possible answers: yes, I have considered it, yes, I have cut back, no, it has not affected my air travel

• Subgroup A expected response: yes, I have considered it

• Question 3: security has not affected their air travel• Subgroup B expected response: yes, I have

considered it• Question 3: security measures have not affected air travel• Subgroup C expected response: yes, I have

considered it• Question 3:I’ve considered cutting back

Question 4

• Have you ever been subjected to a full-body scan, full-body pat down, or extra screening measures at an airport security checkpoint?

Possible answers: yes, no

• Subgroup A expected response: yes• Question 4: yes

• Subgroup B expected response: yes• Question 4: half said yes and half said no

• Subgroup C expected response: yes• Question 4: yes

Question 5

• Which would you feel more comfortable with at airport security checkpoints?

possible answers: full-body scan, full-body pat down, I am uncomfortable with both

• Subgroup A expected response: full-body scan• Question 5: it ranged between pat down and scan

• Subgroup B expected response: I am uncomfortable with both

• Question 5: ranged between pat down and scan

• Subgroup C expected response: full-body scan• Question 5:scan

Question 6

• Do you think there is a need to standardize airport security in all countries?

possible answers: Yes, all airport security should be the same internationally, No, each country is better off deciding it's airport security measures, I don't think standardizing airport security would make a difference

• Subgroup A expected response: yes, standardize

• Question 6:All airport security should be the same

• Subgroup B expected response: no difference• Question 6: Airport security should be the same

• Subgroup C expected response: no, each country does their own thing

• Question 6:I don’t think it would make a difference

Question 7

• How effective do you think current security measures are in the US?

Possible answers: very effective, not effective, effective

• Subgroup A expected response: effective• Question 7: security is effective

• Subgroup B expected response: effective• Question 7: security is effective

• Subgroup C expected response: effective• Question 7: effective

Question 8

• Do you think that US airport security is excessive compared to other countries airport security?

Possible answers: Yes, no, I have not travelled to other countries

• Subgroup A expected response: yes• Question 8: no, airport security is not excessive

• Subgroup B expected response: yes• Question 8:Half said yes half said no

• Subgroup C expected response: I have not travelled to other countries

• I have not travelled to other countries

Were we correct?Subgroup A

• Question 1:somewhat correct• Question 2:correct• Question 3:incorrect• Question 4: correct• Question 5: somewhat correct• Question 6: correct• Question 7: correct• Question 8: incorrect* We guessed most of these correctly

Were we right?Subgroup B

• Question 1: incorrect • Question 2: correct• Question 3: incorrect• Question 4: somewhat correct• Question 5: incorrect• Question 6: incorrect• Question 7: correct• Question 8: somewhat correct*We guessed wrong on at least half of these

Were we correct?Subgroup C

• Question 1: incorrect• Question 2: correct• Question 3: correct• Question 4: correct• Question 5: correct• Question 6: incorrect• Question 7: correct• Question 8: correct* For the most part, we got them all

What did we learn?

• a lot of discontent with airport security is publicized, but doesn't represent sentiments of the population as a whole

•  Many of those who have been on an airplane since 9/11 have not cut-back due to new security measures

• The predominant population of America believes that while some of the security measures are invasive, they are worth the added protection against terrorist and other attacks