Airport Security + Compliance

 

Psych & Such        |        29 JULY 2022

I am in the middle of traveling at the moment.  While I don't understand a lot about air travel (don't get me started on flight attendant uniforms), what I do understand are TSA security checkpoints.

Security is something I value.  While it can be inconvenient, slow, and chaotic at times (what goes in a bin again?), it does serve an important function and purpose for all travelers, airport staff, and airline employees.  The most interesting part of the security process is the compliance shown.  Ranging from children to the elderly, everyone stands in line, they follow protocol, they stand here and walk there.  It's fascinating, as our country struggles to get total acceptance and compliance in anything: 

• Mask and vaccination compliance during COVID: nope
• Compliance to carry car insurance: not a chance
• Voting compliance and participation: no way
• Complying with traffic laws: never

This list could go on and on.  But airport security compliance?...100%.  This got me thinking:

• When is compliance and acceptance the right choice for you and others?
• When is compliance and acceptance the wrong choice for you and others?
• What does it mean for me and others when I comply and accept?
• What does it mean for me and others when I defy and dissent?
• When has group compliance and acceptance gotten us in trouble, devalued others, or prevented growth and progress?
• When has defiance and dissention gotten us in trouble, devalued others, or prevented growth and progress?
• What would trigger me to choose compliance over defiance?  
• What would trigger me to choose dissention over acceptance?

Being mindful of the situation at hand can help us to assess whether doing more of the same is needed or if making a change to the norm is the way forward. 

When it comes to airport security, COMPLYING = FLYING...so I'll keep accepting the pat-downs, body scans, computers bins, and shoelessness of it all.  

 

Photo source: https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/24753/airport-security-week-security-costing-us/