Given the additional cost of new security measures at airports, U.S. airlines are concerned whether these costs will be ultimately passed onto them and thus their passengers, limiting the carriers ability to continue to offer cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages. Currently airplane ticket prices include a security fee of $2.50 for each leg of the trip, with the fee being capped at $5 each direction.
Some of the additional security measures being taken include:
Going from 44 full image body scanners in 21 U.S. airports at the start of 10 to almost 1,000 scanners being in place nationwide by the end of this year. These machines cost an average of $150,000 each.
The use of Explosive Trace Detection machines has been expanded recently enabling security personnel to move more frequently around gate areas as well as security check points with portable machines which are able to identify traces of explosives after a cotton swab is moved over passengers hands and/or luggage.
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is purposely reducing predictability of the screening process. At selected airports travelers may choose between a body scans or pat downs.
TSA is placing more air marshals on flights.
A recent survey of over 3,200 U.S. passengers identified long security lines as the most annoying part of being at the airport. Given that full body scans take a little longer to go through than metal detectors, longer waits can be expected when airports are hectic.
Some carriers are suggesting that travelers arrive 75 minutes prior to domestic flights and as much as three hours before international flights.
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