Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: International airports are probably the most densely populated institutional spaces in terms of security providers. Local police forces, immigration and customs authorities, regulatory agencies, airline security and many other players provide many layers of security to passengers, their cargo and the local community. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the coherence and effectiveness of these arrangements has been deemed problematic, especially to respond to the challenges posed by dark (terrorist and organized crime) networks. Based on empirical quantitative and qualitative data collected at an international Canadian airport, this paper will examine the organisational structure of airport security: of particular interest will be the variety of objectives sought by security providers, the specific constraints under which they operate and the adverse effects that result from these differences. From the data, we will try to understand why airport security has often been found to be lacking, and what collaborative mechanisms could be mobilized in order to improve the situation. The focus of this section will be on the optimal interface between public and private security providers, as well as between local and national security agencies.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: (to be uploaded)

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The traditional view of suburbs as being peripheral to central cities has long been incorrect: metropolitan areas today are often seen as sprawling aggregations with little discernible spatial form or structure. Yet there is structure. Central urban functions are increasingly drawn out of central cities by the very factor that are held to make cities grow – the easy accessibility that creates centrality – with the air-auto nexus becoming the new key point of centrality. Using data form the 1995 and 2002 Zip Business Patterns (ZBP), we find new evidence about transportation breaks and urban form. We document that major commercial airports are acting as regional anchors and key urban organizers, similar to ports and major railroad terminals in earlier eras. We also find qualifying evidence that previously built-over land surrounding airports, high symbolic value of central city, and remote airport sites diminish the effect of airports on 21st century urban form.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper proposes to examine the debate of whether Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screeners at United States commercial airports should be private contractors or government employees. After the events of September 11th the Federal Government federalized the training and employment of most of the commercial airport passenger screeners under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act signed on November 19, 2001. To try and prove whether private companies or TSA would do a better job of screening the aforementioned act established a pilot program that permitted five airports representing different security risks to use private screeners. The program was intended to provide evidence on whether privately contracted screeners could achieve the efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness of federal screeners. Three different organizations the Government Accountability Office, the inspector general of Department Homeland Security, and BearingPoint, a private consulting firm, carried out a comparative performance study that was presented to Congress in April 2004. The results of the report are classified. However, based on public reporting and public testimony it is evident that the studies reached the same conclusion that there was no statistical evidence of different performance at federally and privately screened airports. The main issues the paper deals with are problems of principal-agent before the signing of the Aviation Transportation Security Act and questions about the efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness of current federal TSA screeners.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This research presents the empirical results of fieldwork conducted by George Mason University researchers at the Baltimore Washington International Airport. Over 500 passengers were surveyed by the research team inside of the airport terminal after they had passed through the airport security screening process. Participants were asked about the demeanor of TSA officials, whether and why they were selected for additional screening, whether objects were removed from their persons, and how they felt during the screening process. Information about the participant's age, race, gender, and frequency of travel were also collected and used for analysis.