How 9/11 Changed Air Travel in Montana

I was getting things ready for an upcoming trip when something oddly nostalgic crossed my mind: I couldn’t remember ever worrying about the size of my liquid toiletries when I flew as a kid. And then it hit me - there was no TSA before September 11, 2001.

Have You Ever Really Thought About That?

If you’re old enough to remember flying before 9/11, you probably remember how simple it all used to be. No removing your shoes. No pulling your laptop out of your bag. You could walk right up to the gate to hug someone goodbye or greet them the moment they stepped off the plane.

READ MORE: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Billings Honors Lives Lost

Living in Montana, flying isn’t always optional. With wide-open spaces and long drives between cities, flying gets us where we need to go, whether it’s a quick hop from Billings to Bozeman, or a cross-country flight out of Missoula, Great Falls, or Helena.

But the way we fly, even here in Montana, hasn’t been the same since that tragic day.

Before 9/11, Airport Security Wasn't Like This

Prior to September 11, airport security in the U.S. was largely handled by private companies hired by individual airlines. Sure, there were metal detectors and X-ray machines, but they were mainly focused on finding weapons like guns and knives.

Back then, airports, even here in Montana, felt more casual. You could show up not long before takeoff, breeze through security, and be in the air without much hassle.

September 11 Changed Everything, Even in Montana

When the terrorists hijacked planes using items as simple as box cutters, it exposed huge gaps in our national security. The response was swift. Congress created the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) just two months later through the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001.

Even though Montana wasn’t directly impacted that day, the ripple effects reached all of us. Just ask anyone who’s flown out of Billings Logan International Airport or Glacier Park International in Kalispell in the last two decades, it’s a whole new world now.

A Complete Security Overhaul

After the TSA was established, security checkpoints were no longer run by private contractors. They were standardized nationwide.

Out came the liquid restrictions, the full-body scanners, and the pat-downs. Checked baggage got screened more thoroughly. Even carry-ons were treated with more scrutiny. These changes hit every airport in the country.

The Tradeoff? More Safety, But More Inconvenience

No one enjoys standing in long security lines, removing their shoes (although that's being phased out now), or tossing out a full bottle of shampoo at the checkpoint. And for those of us flying out of smaller airports, it can feel like overkill.

But the truth is, even in rural states like Montana, we’re not immune to the risks. The tighter security is there to protect all of us, regardless of whether we’re flying out of New York City or from Bozeman to Billings.

There Are Some Efforts to Make It Easier

In recent years, the TSA has rolled out programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to help frequent, low-risk travelers get through security faster. These options are available even in Montana airports, though many residents still opt to drive long distances because flying can feel like a hassle.

Not Everyone Agrees with the System

There are valid concerns about privacy and whether certain TSA procedures go too far. But many also agree that the fact we haven’t had a major aviation-related terror attack since 2001 is proof that the system, while flawed, is doing what it’s meant to do.

Flying May Never Be the Same, But That’s OK

The events of 9/11 left a scar on our nation, and that includes how we travel. Sure, it takes a little longer to get through security now. But for many of us, especially those who remember exactly where we were that day, it’s worth it.

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A Personal Perspective, Shared by Many Montanans

As someone who knows people directly impacted by the events of September 11, I don’t mind waiting in a TSA line. I’d rather deal with a few extra steps at the airport than risk something like that ever happening again. And I think many Montanans would agree. Our independence runs deep, but so does our sense of responsibility.