Anyone who has traveled by air in the past 10 years knows how stressful airports can be.
You didn’t leave the house as early as you should have. In the rush to get to the departure gate, security screening seems to slow everything down. And to make matters worse, you’re faced with a meticulous request: “Notebooks out of the bags, please.”
But what does your notebook have to do with security?
The day that marked the beginning of the changes
Airport security changed dramatically after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Before the attack, you could walk through security with a carry-on bag full of everything you would need for your vacation, including a knife with a steel handle. four prongs.
In fact, that’s how the 9/11 terrorists got their weapons on board.
After 9/11, screening processes around the world changed very quickly. In the US, minimum-wage private security contractors have been replaced by a federalized program with highly trained security personnel.
Anything that could be considered a weapon was confiscated.
Around the world, travelers were suddenly forced to remove their shoes, belts and outerwear, and remove their phones, laptops, liquids and anything else that could be used as part of an improvised explosive device.
This went on for several years. Eventually, more advanced screening methods were developed to effectively identify certain threats. Today, some countries do not require you to remove your shoes when going through security.
So why should you still take out your notebook?
The trajectory of airport scanners
The machine your bags and devices go through is an x-ray machine.
The main reason you need to remove your notebook from its bag is because the battery and other mechanical components are too dense for the x-rays to penetrate effectively – especially if the scanning system is old. The same goes for power cords and other devices like tablets and cameras.
With these items in your bag, security officers cannot use the displayed image to determine risk. They will have to flag the bag for a physical search, which slows everything down. It’s easier if all devices are removed first.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
