Modern Airport

Business travel by air is increasing, and air commuting for work has dramatically increased. “Airport terminals are the cathedrals of our age – a huge public space where people gather, wait, eat, sometimes sleep, and usually shop”.

These are economically successful places where the main exchange of people occurs, where Customs and control barriers exist, and where passengers and baggage are separated and reunited (Brian Edwards, The Modern Terminal: New Approaches to Airport Architecture, Spon Press, 2005).

As the airports are major gateways to continents and to countries their border and security controls has tightened especially since the tragic events of 11^th September, 2001: the Customs, passport, health and security checks have become more careful. Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime.

Travellers are usually quickly screened by a metal detector. More advanced explosive detection machines are being used in screening such as X-ray machines. Explosive detection machines can also be used for both carry-on and checked baggage.

Alternately, the passengers step fully shoed onto a device which scans in under 1.2 seconds for objects as small as a razor blade.

Generally people are screened through airport security into the concourses. Sensitive areas in airports, including airport ramps and operational spaces, are restricted from the general public. These spaces require special qualifications to enter. This area is often called a secure or sterile area.

In some countries, specially trained officers may ask passengers questions to detect threats. Some tests are done by undercover agents.

New to airport security systems are perimeter defences. These systems are designed to minimize unauthorized intrusions from personnel or vehicles originating from outside airport.

Typical anti-personnel perimeter security systems include security fences and security camera systems.

As a whole an airport is a multi-tasking multi-organization location, prone to frequent technological changes, and where all agencies have to perfectly be in-tandem with excellent communication among them.

Exercise 7. Read Text 1 again to find the English equivalents for:

турникеты; воссоединяться; полагаться на; секретный агент (сотрудник в штатском); пункты досмотра пассажиров/пункты пропуска; современная система обнаружения следов взрывчатых веществ; преступление; пассажиры, представляющие потенциальную угрозу; периметр контролируемой зоны аэропорта; сканировать; ужесточать меры безопасности в аэропорту; ‘зона стерильности’; работать в тандеме; несанкционированное движение (вторжение); таможенный досмотр; транспортное средство; зал (накопитель) для пассажиров, прошедших таможенный контроль; средства защиты.

Exercise 8.Rewrite the sentences below translating the Russian parts into English:

1. As the airports are главные воздушные ворота to continents and to countries their border and контроль безопасности has tightened especially since the трагические события of 11^th September, 2001.

2. Travellers are usually quickly screened by a металлоискатель (металлодетектор).

3. The пассажиры step fully shoed onto a устройство which scans in under 1.2 seconds for предметы as small as a лезвие бритвы.

4. Зоны особого внимания in airports, including airport бетонированные площадки перед терминалом and operational spaces, are restricted from the обычная публика.

5. New to airport security systems are средства защиты по периметру контролируемой зоны аэропорта.

Exercise 9. Complete the sentences using the text above.

1. At the airport terminals people gather __________.

2. Airport security means __________.

3. Explosive detection machines (scanners) are used for __________.

4. Sensitive areas at the airport require ____________.

5. Specially trained officers may ask ____________.

Exercise 10. Agree or disagree with the following:

1. An airport as a multi-tasking organization isn’t prone to frequent technological changes.

2. Specially trained officers are more effective in detecting threats than sophisticated equipment.

3. The concourses are often called a secure or sterile area.

4. The perimeter systems are designed to minimize unauthorized intrusions to the airport.

5. Sensitive areas in airports are not restricted from the general public.

Exercise 11. Comment onthe following statements; give your own arguments:

1. Air travel is not only popular but part of the mass culture of our society.

2. There are significant changes as far as airport security systems are concerned.

3. Airport terminal buildings themselves have become targets for terrorist attack.

4. Passengers need a clear sense of direction at the airport, a path through chaos and complexity.

5. Airports become a collection of runways, terminals, hangars, control towers, and hotels – they are really new towns.

Exercise 12. In small groups, read the following texts (A – F) and complete the table.

Text A