ABSTRACT
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the federal response to those attacks would come to shape aviation security policy and strategy in the United States. Following the attacks, the Bush Administration and Congress pondered and debated the best course of action for preventing future terrorist attacks against aviation and terrorist attacks using aircraft to target key facilities and infrastructure within the United States and made sweeping changes designed to strengthen aviation security and restore the confi dence of the American people. Following the 9/11 attacks, the federal government made considerable changes to aviation security including the federalization of the screening workforce, 100% screening of checked baggage for explosives, signifi cantly expanded lists of individuals to be denied aircraft boarding or subject to additional screening, deployment of large number of air marshals to protect fl ights, the creation of a program to arm airline pilots, and the hardening of cockpit doors, to name a few key initiatives. Despite the considerable cost and effort devoted to passenger airline security following the 9/11 attacks, some critics continue to raise concerns that signifi cant weaknesses remain, and these weaknesses may be readily exploited by terrorist groups seeking to carry out aircraft hijackings and bombings.
