Should the risk change, one should expect to see a complementary shift in security. Said another way, air travel is now by design more secure than pedestrian travel. In this equation, aviation has been assessed to be the more pressing risk and therefore gets greater security than pedestrian walkways. Governments seek to weigh the threats, vulnerabilities and consequences of particular risks when developing strategies for protecting populations. No single approach to risk would be reasonable. Risk is inherent in people's daily lives, whether from accidents or terrorist attacks. The most immediate goal should be to give people the information they need to make informed decisions about their safety, whether that information concerns new regulations or a fresh attack. So what can be done to reconcile the views of those who demand increased security with those who believe new restrictions are not worth the trouble? Communication and transparency are key. Who hasn’t looked over one’s shoulder when a car comes racing up from behind?Īnother factor could be optimism bias, that comforting feeling that "it could never happen to me." Those interviewed at airports complaining about the inconvenience of placing their electronics in the cargo hold are acting on this bias, while those interviewed immediately after the vehicle attack had their optimism bias shaken to the core. While increased law enforcement presence does occur for special events or when particular threats are identified, the openness and ready availability of the means-a vehicle-could be disconcerting.
The perception of vulnerability for the average pedestrian, however, has likely increased since the recent wave of vehicle attacks. While some may find these measures excessive, they do provide a degree of reassurance for the traveling public. Since 9/11, passenger screening has been greatly enhanced, cockpit doors have been hardened to prevent access by terrorists, liquids have been banned, no-fly lists have been established. Some airline travelers may feel they are already better protected than average people walking down the street.
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