No checks for bombs in certified air cargo

[Eugene]

Source: Boston Globe

No checks for bombs in certified air cargo
Antiterror law's intent debated

By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | August 24, 2007

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is planning to
allow cargo packed by approved shippers to be loaded
onto passenger airplanes without any further inspection
for bombs, despite a new law requiring freight shipments
to receive the same level of scrutiny as checked
suitcases.

Earlier this month, President Bush signed a bill into
law that requires some type of inspection of all freight
carried on passenger planes. The airline industry had
fought such a requirement, contending that it would be
too slow and costly. When Republicans controlled
Congress, the industry succeeded in getting the
legislation blocked. But in late July, Democrats passed
the measure.

The new law was celebrated as a victory by pilot and
flight attendant unions, as well as its main congressional
champion, Representative Edward J. Markey, Democrat
of Malden. Markey put a video of a triumphant House
floor speech on his website, proclaiming "After four
years, Representative Markey wins his fight to ensure
100 per cent screening of cargo on passenger planes."

But the Transportation Security Administration, which
was given three years under the law to develop a full
inspection program, says it is interpreting the statute to
allow boxes sealed by government-certified shippers to
be loaded directly on planes. TSA spokesman Christopher
White said freight "is inherently screened" if it is packed
with tamper-evident seals at a facility that meets federal
security standards.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/08/24/no_checks_for_bombs_in_certified_air_cargo

[salin]

1. Once again the president and exec branch demonstrates that it isnot

bound by laws passed by Congress and signed by the President.

And members of the party that claims to be for securty - demonstrates that they are not for security of passengers, but instead for protecting the margins of profit of corporations.

[roseBudd]

2. Or they are hoping for another terror attack LIHOP

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Or setting the stage for their evil plans -- MIHOP

I absolutely believe these thugs are that evil.

[HuffleClaw]

5. with something that is clearly traced to their actions?

i doubt it.

[BluePatriot]

4. Industry insider's take

*shrug* Screening is fine. However, working in the freight industry, known shippers have to follow a lot of regs already to get on passenger flights, including 6 months of close monitoring and a site visit and required inventories and ten million forms.... anyway we must prove that we "know" them to move their cargo. And if anything gets flagged you get a TSA visit in a few hours...like a few weeks back when someone attached the wrong form to something and my customer didn't come up in the Known Shipper Database (old address was in there of course)

I sent a 20' STD container to Israel last week. Those new seals are pretty good.

Despite the alarmist headline I guess there is a point where air cargo screening can get impractical. Unknown shippers are already banned from passenger aircraft anyway. Air cargo currently functions on an relatively effective system of compromises...I'd like to see a LOT more focus on ocean cargo and port security. Granted, there is always room for improvement, but TSA isn't going to get enough screeners if they keep offering $24k a year...