Airport security question

[philosslayer]

I see a lot of lamenting on television and DU that the gunman was able to retrieve a gun and ammunition from his checked luggage and open fire. And about new laws needed to stop this type of incident.

I assume most people are aware that baggage claim areas aren't secure. You could walk in off the street (or from the parking lot) armed to the gills and do whatever damage you wanted to do in the baggage claim area.

So here is the question. Do people believe baggage claim areas should become secured areas? And if so, please describe how that would work.

[HassleCat]

1. How the Russians do it

To enter the airport, you must pass through security, with metal detector, x-Ray machine, etc.

[stevenleser]

2. Same at Kenya's international airport. nt

[Galileo126]

3. At LAX last week

I saw 2 guys in fatigues and AR-15's in the baggage area while I was waiting for my luggage. Probably LAPD, probably airport security.

I didn't mind seeing them one bit.

[Major Nikon]

7. That's the way it is at many European airports

The closer you venture to the 3rd world, it even gets more pronounced with squads of military armed to the gills.

[MineralMan]

4. I remember a time when there was someone checking luggage

tags in the baggage claim area at LAX. Some sort of security person. That was back in the 60s and 70s. That was then. Now, stealing luggage from the carousel is very popular at some airports. The thieves park in the parking garage, then walk over to baggage claim and look for bags that look promising. They pick them up and roll them right out to their waiting car. If they're worried about being called out by someone from the flight, they wait until everyone has picked up their bags and grab bags that remain on the carousel.

Mostly, they get bags full of clothing, but even that has value. You pick the most expensive suitcase and there's probably something worth stealing in it, I guess.

[stevenleser]

6. Seems to be the case only 5-10% of the time at La Guardia & Kennedy now too. nt

[crazycatlady]

5. The baggage claim is often a meetup space

And the only area not restricted to ticketed passengers. When people pick me up at an airport, that's my meetup space (whether I check a bag or not).

Maybe there should be some sort of screening at the baggage claim, but I don't think it should be restricted to ticketed passengers only as it's the only indoor meetup space left.

[philosslayer]

8. The point is....

Is that unless we start screening people as soon as they leave their own homes, in an armed society, there is no way to prevent this sort of thing. People always congregate somewhere. Chasing the perfect screening spot is a fools errand.