U.S. flights can still be hijacked!

I recently conducted a detailed investigation of security at our nation's airports, and was shocked by the magnitude of deficiencies ripe for terrorist exploitation that I found after visiting various sites and interviewing assorted industry employees from four major airlines. I was disturbed to learn of several easy ways to get any handheld weapon onboard or to place a bomb on almost any domestic flight. Looks like Osama is still in business ? U.S. flights are his for the taking.

It seems that most of the post-Sept. 11 security upgrades have been primarily focused on things travelers can see, specifically on increased screening of passengers before they board the plane ? including integrated intelligence programs to check passenger lists against databases of possible terror suspects, updated X-Ray and metal-detector equipment at gates, more qualified officials at security posts, and more frequent body searches of passengers before they enter the gates.

But behind the scenes, it's been business as usual. In most airports, aside from more thorough background checks, there have been little or no security measures added to the routines of the tens of thousands of aircraft cargo workers. At many airports, and at most airlines at Miami International, where my research focused, these employees still don't go through metal detectors or X-ray machines, have little direct onsite supervision or outdoor surveillance and, incredibly, in many cases they have separate, unsecured access to passenger gates.