Price for National Security

Ever since the airplane terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, airport security has become crucial to the safety of our nation. The precautions are taken to prevent these things from ever happening again, and they are not unneccessary. Going to the airport, going through TSA, taking off shoes, and going through metal detectors has become something that people have grown accustomed to. However, as the years have passed, people are beginning to question if it is really fair to be giving up privacy for security, if it is really lawful to allow people that you have never associated with to look in your bags and pat you down. I personally believe that it is worth the scanning and giving up privacy in order to feel safe. I feel safer going through security and seeing others go through security than not, but at the same time, it does feel that you are being invaded unwillingly.

I agree with the protocols taken to protect us and the only way, for now, that allows the U.S to be more secure through air travel is through travelers willing to give up a right. Giving up civil liberties and privacy might be the only price we need to pay for security. However, if we are giving up a right listed in the Constitution, why are we not told any of these things before we go into an airport.? Why are we forced to do something we technically did not sign off in agreement?

To be honest, it could be a lot worse than scanning through our bags. We are not being forced to walk around with no clothes to prove we are innocent and we are not being forced to take a plane to travel. I think that the only way to solve the problem of some people feeling as if they are invaded of their privacy, is to kindly tell them they can either drive or take the plane. Others may not feel that is fair, but based on my experience, there really is no other option.

Is there really any other way to ensure national security without the TSA “invading” our privacy? Although I agree with the protocols, I also agree that we are told that we have a right to privacy yet it seems like we are forced to give up ourselves and privacy. I understand that it is for the safety of others, but what about people’s personal lives?

I believe that people should somehow be informed that they are going to have to give up a general right, perhaps by being required to sign a consent form to show that you are willing. This would help to prevent people from arriving at the airport, being stopped at security, and refusing to empty their bags. This way, everyone would be on the same page.

Still, do the people against the invasion of privacy still ride airplanes? I would think so, but to be honest, we need to realize that if we want to be safe, this is really the only way to maintain some form of safety. In order to ensure national safety, we need to be willing to give up our privacy. In order to be protected, people need to decide whether security or privacy is more important. (Ingber, 2015)

Airport security has increased heavily post the 9/11 terrorist attacks