ABSTRACT
I joined the staff of the security department of Continental Airlines in September 1975. Since then I have witnessed major changes and “upgrades” in airline security. Major changes are brought about as the result of an identification of a weakness in the entire security chain from the ticketing agents to the actual passenger or as the result of an incident that could or should have been prevented. When dealing with a critical industry such as air travel and with the many millions of people involved in it, there are bound to be circumstances that warrant the attention of security, investigations, and dealing with the foibles of people.
