Assignment cheat sheet

As you answer the question in the assignment, here are a few broad topics which could each be further explored individually. If you read this module carefully, you'll come across many more ideas for the assignment.

Once upon a time, you could walk up to the actual boarding gate to see off your friends or family, but after 9/11, this became impossible. The 9/11 attacks caused airport security to be consolidated under a new government agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a direct result of changes in security policy at airports, every commercial air passenger today experiences a significantly different travel experience. Read more: TSA.gov, Airport Screening Begins, Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001.

Prior to the 70's, candidates for political office had much fewer appearances statewide or nationwide. Thanks to the superb network of routes connecting virtually every city in the US, flying the entourage of an election candidate around during campaigns became not only possible, but essential. Of course this costs money, and corporations were more than happy to lobby congress for favors in exchange for campaign finance. As it stands, the candidate with the most money for among other things in-person appearances tends to gain. Read More: Abusing federal funds through campaign travel, Obama's Campaign Travel Plans, Palin Campaign Trail.

Prior to the 70's, sending a letter was handled by the United States Postal Service, and a few other premium service companies such as Wells Fargo. The leased jet age allowed next day air service to become possible, impacting the speed of everything. In 1975, UPS became the first package delivery company to serve every address in the continental United States, directly competing with the USPS. Today UPS and FedEx are on the verge of toppling the USPS as the carrier of choice for business and many individual mailing needs. Read More: USPS $2.4 Billion Loss, UPS Timeline, Over a million packages a day, Absolutely, Positively, Overnight!

Many third world nations could finally afford to lease a fleet of aircraft, making possible a "Flag Carrier" or national airline. These airlines connected routes within that nation. Without this connectivity, travel would only be possible to a single major city in that nation. Imagine flying to a country as large as Egypt and then relying on a 4x4 or worse yet, a camel to get you across the desert to another city. Read More: Egypt forms an Aircraft Leasing Company focused on North Africa, EgyptAir leases Boeing's new 777 jets from GECAS (ILFC Competitor), ILFC Asia Customers.

With frequent flights, come the increased risk of plane hijackings, bombings, and hostage situations, the US is constantly involved in negotiating the dangerous waters of foreign policy, with regard to the safety and security of US Citizens, around the world. One such air disaster in 1988 involved PAN-AM flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Recently, the Scottish government authorized the release of the only convicted bomber from that incident, on humanitarian grounds. Read More: Pan-Am 103 Crash Site, 9/11 Hijackings, US State Dept. Advisory on Hijacking.