How Safe Are We?

How Safe Are We?

Ever since 9/11 our airports in America and in the rest of the world have increased security to the point of scrutiny in everything that is carried on or worn on a commercial airliner. All of these increased security measures are for our protection. They have prevented such tragedies as when the plot of the bottles of liquid carrying potentially explosive materials was discovered in Great Britain as well as the attempted shoe bomber. However, while the focus has been on these increased security measures at large international and domestic airports, smaller, private airports in industrialized cities are being overlooked.

A local news team from Houston, Texas undertook its own investigation to find out just how secure these airports are. Their first stop was Hooks Airport in northwest Harris County. The unmarked news van simply drove up to the call box, asked to be let in, and was buzzed in no questions asked. Once on the other side of the barbed wire fence the news team had access to corporate jets with their doors wide open and no one in sight to ask the team any question as to why they were there. Thinking this was just a fluke they returned a few days later, again drove up to the call box and asked to be let in. This time they were asked to identify themselves and the team responded they were there to see the planes. They were again let in and again had access to the planes. However, an employee from the airport did meet them and asked what they were doing there. He identified himself as Homeland Security and escorted the news team back to the front entrance explaining he was unsure how they were let into the airport in the first place.

The next stop was Sugarland Regional Airport to the southwest of Houston. Although they do have a fence it does not go completely around the property leaving a gap for several hundred feet anyone could walk through. Once again the undercover news team walked through unlocked doors and had access to the hangars and corporate jets.