Controversy over new security screening procedures addressed by aviation attorney

The busiest travel season of the year has approached amidst controversy surrounding the airport security procedures being implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These procedures include full body scanners and more invasive physical pat-downs using fingers and palms. Despite the outcry from individuals and organizations about personal privacy violations, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the Obama administration and security officials have continually held that the intent of security measures is to "ensure that when you or I or others get on to an airplane, that we can feel reasonably sure that we can travel safely."

Mary Schiavo, an aviation attorney with Motley Rice and the former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General, supports the security measures, stating the guidelines are necessary and will save lives by taking away the "tools of terrorists." According to Schiavo, "In the last 30 years, there were 193 hijackings. Thirty six were stopped, and they were stopped at the airport on the plane."

Having represented numerous plane crash victims and families, including family members of the passengers and crew who died September 11, 2001, Schiavo says protestors against the new measures are not being mindful of the dangers posed by demands for less security. She says invasive security measures, despite being uncomfortable for some, are one more way to stop terrorists from taking lives in the future.

Read tips in The Washington Post about what to expect at airport security checkpoints and how you can help make the process easier.

Read about how Motley Rice aviation attorneys work to protect the safety of the traveling public.