TSA Says Even 5-10% Screening of All-Cargo Aircraft a Challenge
During a recent National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) webinar, a Transportation Security Administration official discussed a possible mandate to screen cargo on all-cargo aircraft, noting that even screening 5-10% of such cargo would represent a significant challenge for the agency.
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(The 9/11 Act1 required TSA to develop a system to screen 100% of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft (both inbound and domestic) not later than August 3, 2010. There was no requirement in the Act for screening cargo on all-cargo aircraft. Note that TSA only completed its mission for domestic passenger aircraft by the August deadline. TSA set a new deadline for cargo loaded on inbound passenger aircraft.)
After Yemen, Congress Looked to Close All-Cargo “Loophole” & Require 100% Screening
After the October 2010 event where Al Qaeda terrorists based in Yemen attempted to ship explosives to two synagogues in Chicago, discussion turned towards closing the “screening loophole” on cargo planes. Bills were introduced in both the House and Senate of to require 100% screening of cargo transported on all-cargo aircraft.
(Representative Markey introduced H.R. 6410 and Senator Casey introduced S. 3954 in the 111th Congress. See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/23/10 news, 10112323, for BP summary providing details of H.R. 6410 and S. 3954.)
TSA Says Even Screening 5-10% of Cargo on All-Cargo Aircraft Would be Difficult
TSA stated that large amounts of cargo are moved on all-cargo airplanes, and that 100% screening of cargo transported on such aircraft is “not necessarily realistic.” He noted that there is about ten times more cargo moved on all-cargo airplanes than on passenger planes.
TSA stated that screening 5-10% of cargo on all-cargo aircraft represents a significant challenge for the agency.
TSA also stated that the magnitude of requiring all cargo to be screened (on passenger and all-cargo aircraft) is “dramatic.” They noted that to bring in all-cargo aircraft would require a multi-pronged approach.
TSA Expects to Meet Some All-Cargo Screening Mandate in the Future
TSA is expecting that in the future there will be legislation passed that will require the agency to meet a mandate that a certain amount of cargo on all-cargo aircraft be screened.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/07/11 news, 11030729, for BP summary of a top CBP official stating that CBP Commissioner Bersin thinks the way that CBP, TSA and the trade can resolve issues such as the Yemen bomb plot informally instead of making new laws or involving legislation.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/15/11 news, 11031519, for BP summary of TSA discussing the challenges it faces in meeting the 100% inbound air cargo screening deadline for passenger aircraft and the steps that it is taking to address those challenges.)
1The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Act of 2007