Ahmed Shehata

UWRT 1102
Instructor: Fran Voltz
20 October 2014
EIP Proposal:

Introduction/Overview
I am proposing to research the controversial dilemma on whether the amped up security
in airports across America is actually helping keep American citizens safe. I plan to do in depth
research about the changes that have already been made in airports, as well as, the future
developments to come. I hope to discover both sides to this debate on why people feel the added
security is beneficial and why others believe it is unnecessary. Bruce Schneier said, The
security procedures put in place since 9/11 are not sufficient to stop well-financed, wellorganized terrorists. However, in rebuttal, Kip Hawley stated, The ten years of safe flying it
has overseen show that its methods are indeed working. It is evident that there are two sides to
this topic and I am committed to research both.
My dad and I had a conversation on the 11th anniversary of the attack. We discussed how
different life has become since that heartbreaking day in Americas history. We also talked about
how the security to board an airplane is extremely intense and thorough; and after talking with
him I wondered if the topic of changes in airport security after September 11th would be
interesting for this project. I wanted to investigate the potential issue; therefore, my first source
of inquiry was simply Google. I wanted to grasp a basic knowledge for what people were already
saying about this issue. I began withwww.economist.com and read the essays from two men who
were stating their views towards airport security. I also found two separate blog pages that the
same two men were continuing their discussion on: www.schneier.com,www.kiphawley.com. I

also checked the University of North Carolina at Charlottes library database and found a handful
of scholarly peer reviewed journals including: Journal of Air Transport Management,
September the 11th 2001 and Security Dilemma, Service and safety quality in US airlines:
pre- and post- September 11th.
Based off of my preliminary research it is apparent that there are two sides to this battle.
The defending side of the increased security is persistently saying that since the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) was created the security changes are working; considering
America has not had any terrorist attacks since 2001. The opposing side is concerned that the
TSA is working backwards. This is because after the terrorist attack smaller attempts have been
made. In the same year as the 9/11 attack a man tried to board a plane with a bomb in his shoe,
thus creating the rule that all passengers must remove their shoes at security checkpoints. There
have also been situations where people with liquid bombs tried to board a plane. Fortunately the
bombers were caught, but in the end it has caused another annoying rule that all passengers
must now follow. The opposing people are saying that once another terrorist attempt is made
another rule will be added to the airline security system. This is a current dilemma that is
occurring and on-going in the United States.
Initial Inquiry Question
I am curious to discover what the two debatable sides are to the American airport security
changes after September 11th happened. I want to learn about what each side feels is important to
tell Americans, and why each side feels so passionately about it. It is evident that the two
controversial sides are debating this issue; therefore, my initial inquiry question is what are the
security changes post September 11th doing to benefit and harm Americans today.

My Interest in this Topic

I am looking forward to researching this topic because I have always been quite
fascinated with the entire scheme of September 11th. I can remember sitting in my second grade
classroom trying to wrap my little brain around what had happened in 2001. I am curious now on
why some Americans are against the security changes because I always thought that most people
would want stricter security to feel safer. It was not until I started my preliminary research that I
discovered there are a great deal of people wanting to resort back to the pre- 9/11 security tactics.
I know that America has been safe from a terrorist attack for 11th years now, and I know the
routine of passing through airport security after doing so myself. I want to learn in more detail
about the possible changes in airport security in the future, as well as, why these changes will be
made.
Next Steps:
I plan to start my research using some of the websites I have mentioned already such
as:www.economist.com,www.pbs.org, andwww.usatoday.com . Also I will use some of the blog
pages that remain up to date with this issue including:www.schneier.com,www.kiphawley.com ,
and www.economist.com. As well as, the scholarly peer reviewed journals the University of
North Carolina at Charlottes library has consisting of: Journal of Air Transport Management,
September the 11th 2001 and Security Dilemma, Service and safety quality in US airlines:
pre- and post- September 11th. I am confident that I will find more excellent sources to help me
with my research on this dilemma; however, this gives me a strong start to the beginning of this
project.