Airport Security Survey Grace Collins Emily Maxwell Christy 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: White Bachelors degree or higher Age 30 years or older Registered voter

Subgroup B Characteristics: Middle Eastern Economic status: middle Age 16 or older Non registered voter

Subgroup C Characteristics: Male White In college Age 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:Ive 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 dont 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