Lesson Plans by subject 

How will changes in airport and airline safety affect passengers?

Overview: What measures are airports and airlines implementing to increase the safety of passengers? Have students use this article and the discussion questions to identify the benefits and ramifications of the new safety measures. Challenge students to consider what individual freedoms they would be willing to sacrifice to protect themselves from terrorism.

Curriculum Connections: Current History

After students read the CNNfyi.com story, "Airports inconsistent on security, officials say" ask the following questions:

1. Who is Norman Mineta? What deficiencies does he acknowledge in airline safety? What role does Mineta want the government to have in promoting aviation security? What steps has the federal government already taken to tighten security in the airline industry? What security issues remain unresolved? Do you think electronic identification of employees would increase safety? Explain.

2. Inform students that the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon have impacted airlines and airport security measures in the U.S. and throughout the world. Refer students to the links below, and other online resources, to learn more about what specific effects the attacks have had on the aviation industry. Have students identify the various security measures being implemented by airlines and airports to increase passenger safety, and list these measures on the board. Then ask: Are there any safety measures you would add to the list? Explain. Are there any on the list that you would take off? Why?

3. Have students review the CNNfyi.com article and brainstorm ways that increased domestic security could impact individual civil liberties. List these ramifications on the board. Do you think the benefits from airport and airline security outweigh the ramifications? Explain. Ask each student to write an essay in response to the following question: To what extent are you willing to sacrifice individual freedoms to protect yourself from terrorism?

Extension Currently, there is a debate in Congress over aviation security, specifically, whether airport security personnel should or should not be federal employees. Point out to your students that most Democrats favor making security personnel federal employees, while most Republicans want security in the hands of private companies overseen by the federal government. Direct your students to research the pros and cons of both of these proposals. Have students share their findings in class discussion. Challenge each student to formulate his/her own opinion on the issue and write a position paper in response to this question: Who should staff airport security operations, the federal government or private industry?