Suppose you are taking a stroll at the airport, or just standing in the queue for security checks, and suddenly you hear some TSA agents yelling “Bravo.” You would be startled at first and then wonder what it means. In our day-to-day lives, this overused word generally indicates someone giving a big thumbs-up for a job well done. It’s also a channel dedicated to reality TV, and if you happen to be in the military, you would right away think about the radio code.
However, the Transportation Security Administration uses “bravo,” or more specifically, “code bravo,” while detecting a general security threat. There are a variety of issues that could trigger the airport intercom system to announce the word. It could mean unattended luggage or a flyer acting suspiciously. “Bravo” could also mean some more serious threats, like a terrorist incident or a person carrying a fatal weapon.
However, you don’t need to panic, as TSA has a great way of handling such situations, given some of the bizarre things that happen at the airports across America. Sometimes, along with “code bravo,” you could also gear “freeze.” Although the latter’s real meaning is not fully disclosed. Some believe that yelling “freeze” creates a temporary panic, which makes it easier to detect the original threat. Others think passengers are supposed to freeze wherever they are at the airport.
In 2011, a TSA spokesperson revealed to The New York Times that travelers who are not standing in the security queue do not necessarily need to freeze when they hear the word. Only those in line are required to stop and stay wherever they are when TSA announces “freeze.”
The “code bravo” could sometimes mean a mock drill so that the airport officials could get better at asserting when a real situation or threat emerges. According to grunge.com, these kinds of drills only take place twice a year, especially when the airport traffic is comparatively slower. In addition, these practices often happen at one of the lesser-known airports.
It is important to note that the moment you enter the airport, you fall into the Transportation Security Administration’s direct surveillance. Even before passengers reach security, the TSA has its eyes on them, especially if they smell something suspicious, and it can immediately alert the officials at the checkpoints.
In some locations, the agency uses facial recognition technology to flush out potential threats. In addition to checking your baggage for explosives, weapons, or any other dangerous items that are strictly prohibited, they could also ask you to wipe your hands with a cloth and then run through an explosive trace detector. This is their way of determining whether you have recently been around any explosives.
In case you hear “code bravo” at an airport, and it’s not a mock drill, then it is almost certain that TSA has learnt about a potential threat. From a terrorist on the loose to security breaches, it could mean anything, so you would notice a surge of agents patrolling throughout the affected area.
While Bravo could indicate a serious situation, if you happen to hear it, keep your senses high, but don’t panic unnecessarily.
