First two hours, now three hours-this is how far in advance authorities are recommending people show up to catch a domestic flight, at least at some major US airports with increasingly massive security lines.
Americans are willing to tolerate time-consuming security procedures in return for increased safety.The crash of Egypt Air Flight 804, which terrorists have downed over the Mediterranean sea, provides another tragic reminder of why. But demanding too much of air travelers or providing too little security in return undermines public support for this process. And it should: wasted time is a drag on American's economic and private lives, not to mention infuriating.
Last year, the Transportation Security Administration found in a secret check that undercover investigators were able to sneak weapons -both fake and real-past airport security nearly every time they tried.Enhanced security measures since then, combined with a rise in airline travel due to the improving economy and low oil prices, have resulted in long waits at some major airports such as Chicago's O'Hare International.It is not clear how much more effective airline security has become - but the lines are obvious.