Rising Insecurity- Rising Demand for Private Jet Charter Services

Thanks to the growing security chaos at the airports, companies now increasingly prefer to travel through private charter jets.

According to a survey conducted by Air Charter Guide, there was an 80 percent increase in business-related bookings of private jet charters within two weeks of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when commercial airlines were hijacked to ram into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Similarly, private jet service companies reported a rise in demand from their customers, both old and new, following a terror alert in the UK.

Following 9/11 and the subsequent increase in terror threats, stringent security checks at the airports have made the whole experience of traveling even more frustrating and exhausting.

One has to endure long queues, all kinds of checks and intimate body searches to board an aircraft. Confiscation of even petty things such as nail clippers and tweezers has become a common sight at the airports.

Hence, when we explore the reasons why more and more people are now preferring to travel by private charters flights instead of commercial flights, despite the obvious difference between costs, the reasons are quite a few:

• In the wake of terrorist attacks, security is unquestionable. In a private air charter, you know exactly who the pilot is, what type of baggage is on board and who the fellow passengers; if any, on the flight are. This provides the much needed peace of mind.

• Time is money for business travelers. Private charters have become even more popular among top corporate executives whose time is too valuable to waste in long queues. There is no question of delayed or cancelled flights; as the private flight is scheduled only at the time you want. In fact some organizations don't mind spending an extra bit on arranging private jets for their senior staff too apart from their top executives.

• Private flights enable the optimum utilization of time and ensure confidentiality. You can work on your laptops, conduct meetings; just about everything in the sky that you can do on the ground in your office. Fax, e-mail, phones, computers; everything is easily accessible.

• Private charter flights maximize the productivity of the employees by saving their valuable time.

Apart from business honchos, an increasing number of common people are also considering private flights as a preferred alternative to commercial flights.

Charter-aircraft operators now claim that as many as 90 percent of their inquiries are from new or first-time charter customers.

Apart from convenience, privacy and comfort, private air charter also provides better protection and security in these chaotic times.

Perimeter Security Systems - Airports

Perimeter Security systems are of utmost importance to "airport security". With passenger lines stretching from here until tomorrow, airports could not function without proven perimeter security systems. The pictures of passengers patiently lined up before metal detectors shows acceptance for Airport security systems. The other, unacceptable option is failed Perimeter

security systems leading to unthinkable 9-11 tragedies and empty planes in the skies.

Accidental Entry - Airport Security

People sometimes penetrate airport security by accident. For example, three boys on a sail boat wound up a runway at JFK airport. The intrusion led to upgraded airport Security regulations and enhanced perimeter security equipment. Yet, intrusion by innocent people is an every day occurrence for airports despite advanced perimeter security measures.

Airport Concourse - Security Systems

Concourse security focuses most of its attention on screening processes while perimeter security deal with threats beyond the airport terminal. Perimeter Security is vital as some airports may be protected by tall fences designed to keep out intruders. Security Systems for airports on the East and West Coasts have marine borders with large open areas. The airport's perimeter security relies on a combination of patrols by the coast guard, dogs and high tech Perimeter Security systems.

Armed Guards - Perimeter Security

Do armed guarded enhance airport Perimeter Security? The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) adopted an on-line baggage screening to speed up boarding time. They also created a elite police force armed with machine guns as seen in European airports. Their role combines both perimeter security and airport Security roles in the event airport security is breached. While checking carry-on luggage, they also screen travelers for suspicious behavior.

Technology - Perimeter Security

The best hope for assuring airport security is the one least talked about - the companies and technology airports implement security-based technology for maintaining a safe and secure airport. These include iris recognition, facial recognition, ID validation, fingerprint biometrics and others. Just as important is technology that verifies suspicious activity that does not pose what is not a viable threat. For example, thermal-imaging surveillance that provides real-time security perimeter data to airport personnel.

CCTV systems - Security Systems

For years, airports have used CCTV systems manned by people watching large banks of monitors. While still a component of airport security system, the CCGTV systems have been upgraded b y new components and new analysis techniques. The "alarm" triggered may be audible or configured to speak the warning. Experts know "Cameras data don't stop intruders. People stop intruders". CCTV systems offer enhanced perimeter security to protect airports from Accidental Entry