Getting through airport security has always been a hassle.  And new measures implemented in the wake of the attempted bombing of a U.S.-bound flight are further complicating the process. 

Airports around the world are moving to replace the old metal detectors with a controversial new body scanner.  London's Heathrow Airport began using the scanners last week.  The scanner can find dangerous substances a metal detector can't.  But the scanner also shows a very revealing image of the passenger's body, and rights groups are already complaining about invasion of privacy.  Some within the air travel industry are also questioning the effectiveness of the scanners.  They say instead what's needed is better training of security staff and better cooperation between intelligence agencies.

Is improved airport security mainly a question of better technology, or is it more of a human problem?  Do airlines, governments, or even passengers bear the greatest responsibility for improving security?  How much will passengers be inconvenienced by new security measures?

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know,  bringing you insights into the headline news in China and around the world, online at crienglish.com, and here on China Radio International.  In this edition of the show we'll look at the state of international air travel security.

First, CRI's Paul James speaks with Mr. Douglas Laird, an expert in aviation security in the United States. For more on the difficulty of applying security standards on a global level Paul James speaks with Mr. Andrew Herdman.  He's the Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

No method is 100 percent effective.  Better technology and better training for security and airline personnel should make passengers safer, but could also slow travel down and create privacy concerns.  Greater cooperation between the world's intelligence gathering agencies could also help stop potential threats before they arrive at the airport.

Questions or comments for us can be sent to people@cri.com.cn.  You can also listen to our show on your mobile by logging onto m.cri.cn.  For Producers Xu Yang, Chen Mo and Lu Yuan and Interns Zhang Qingmiao and Zhu Xinwei, I'm Thomas Rippe in Beijing.  We'll talk to you tomorrow.