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TSA's Air Cargo Plans Questioned

Cargo companies would do their own security checks

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 14, 2008

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In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Congress passed a law to require that 100 percent of air cargo carried on passenger jets be inspected. Now, the author of that legislation has concerns about how that law will be implemented.

Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) says he's heard reports the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may try to meet the mandate by requiring companies that pack cargo shipments to perform the screening themselves, before the cargo ever gets to the airport. That, he says, raises real security issues.

"If cargo is screened before it reaches the airport, which appears to be a central element of TSA's plans to comply with the law, how will it be sealed to prevent tampering?" Markey asked. "It remains unclear whether a secure chain of custody can be established to make certain that bombs or other dangerous items are not inserted into cargo after screening occurs."

Markey said TSA is in the preliminary stages of testing its approach, but says if the agency's plans ultimately fall short, Congress will need to take steps to ensure that the air cargo security mandates in the 9/11 Commission law are met.

"I worked for four years to pass the law closing the air cargo loophole and requiring 100 percent screening of cargo carried in the belly of passenger planes," Markey said. "Now TSA must meet this mandate."

Markey said TSA appears to be working seriously to implement a screening program to meet the new higher security standard, but he will continue to monitor their progress to make sure the plan meets the security standards set by the law.

The law was signed in August 2007, implementing recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. It requires all cargo carried on passenger planes be screened at a level of security commensurate to the security applied to airline passengers' checked bags.

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