U.S. Airports React to Downed EgyptAir Flight

U.S. Airports React to Downed EgyptAir Flight

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • May 20, 2016

Spectators from around the world tuned into the news at on Thursday, May 19, as officials told the story of EgyptAir flight MS804. The plane, from Paris to Cairo, never made it to its destination, officials believing it had crashed into the Mediterranean Sea.

While there has not been an official account of what happened aboard flight MS804, security professionals are not ruling anything out yet, including a terrorist attack. This showed evident in the quickly changing security landscape at airports around the United States on Thursday.

From Los Angeles to Charlotte, North Carolina, airport security was beefed up in an effort to stay vigilant while officials overseas determined the cause of the tragic event overseas.

At Los Angeles International Airport there was a noticeable police presence in the central terminal area, as a precautionary effort in the wake of MS804’s disappearance. Travelers at the airport would see extra police patrols near the terminals, and motorists entering the airport at subject to random checks along the roadway. These entrance checks have been implemented before, usually after major terrorist attacks.

Airport officials said there wasn’t any specific threat towards the airport, but the move was a direct result of updated intelligence assessments of the sprawling hub, which straddles Santa Monica Bay and is the country’s busiest airport in terms of final destination for travelers.

In Charlotte, TSA leaders said they were on high alert, as always. TSA K-9s were visible as they sniffed every traveler passing through the security checkpoints. Because of the long lines at TSA checkpoints already, the airport tried not to change the security measures dramatically in an effort to keep traffic moving through the checkpoints.

Some airport security officials believe that the EgyptAir flight could have been downed by a device brought on to the plane by an airline employee. These employees usually do not have to pass through the same kind of security that passengers do, resulting in prohibited items being brought on board. Professionals believe this approach to employee security will soon be changed to strengthen security around the country and the world.

As American travelers are becoming more and more frustrated with the long lines at airports TSA agents are caught between thoroughly checking passengers’ belongs and trying to move people through the lines quickly. The balance between efficiency and customer service as well as security has proven difficult in the wake of the events involving the EgyptAir crash.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.