Since September 11th an extensive list has been drawn up of names of suspected terrorists and their associates. This list is cross-referenced on airport computers against passenger lists as a standard security check.

A failure of that security was found when the name Osama bin Laden was entered into the database by an airline official and the name was promptly given clearance to proceed from the security checkpoint to be issued a boarding pass.

Author of 'Aviation and Airport Security: Terrorism and Safety Concerns' Kathleen Sweet, said "It often fails to detect terrorists until they have boarded the plane. We have computers talking to each other but not necessarily in a timely manner."

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