Before the September 11 attacks, airport security was significantly less stringent than it is today. Travelers could pass through security without a boarding pass, and knives with blades shorter than four inches were permitted in carry-on bags. Screening was conducted by private companies rather than the government-run Transportation Security Administration, which was established after 9/11. Over the decades, security measures had gradually evolved in response to bombings, such as the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, and other threats, with X-ray machines and metal detectors becoming more common.
Related Articles
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.