Last week, several representatives from the Air Cargo Industry presented their thoughts and findings on security to the Congressional Homeland Security Subcommittee. The overarching message was clear: we need more canines to screen cargo and we need to open the industry to private canine companies. President of the Cargo Airline Association, Stephen Alterman, was joined by Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the AirForwarders Association, to provide a comprehensive overview of the industry challenges coming down the line.
The volume of cargo entering the United States is increasing and is predicted to go over the next 20 years. Cargo is now being placed on passenger planes and mandates 100% screening. The influx in volume will cause longer throughput times, costly resources, additional personnel, and additional government oversight. The Air Cargo Industry has been engaging with private canine companies to educate themselves about the canine capabilities and capacity needed to integrate into existing screening protocols. The privatization of air cargo screening has been embraced by many, including Congressman, to relieve the demand that will be placed on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Source: Boeing Air Cargo Volume 2015
“… Alterman said that he would like to see an increase in the use of dogs as a primary means of screening cargo because the technology to screen freight in a manner consistent with the operational needs of the industry does not exist today.”
Another challenge facing the cargo industry, TSA, and private canine companies is inconsistency of interpretation of standards and guidelines in a rapidly changing environment. Alterman and Fried lock step and call for consistent standards and regulations from the TSA. They would “… like to see consistent interpretation of regulations by all inspectors, the TSA to continue to provide standardized training on security,” and, “that forwarders should not be the only ones to submit data for the advanced screening program (ACAS) when it is implemented.”
H.R.2825 – Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act was passed in the House and sent to the Senate on July 20, 2017. The use of canines for explosives detection is discussed in the following Sections of the Authorization: 1515, 1521, 1552, 1578,1579, and 1704.
The full H.R. 2825 text can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2825/text
Article source: AirCargoNews (http://www.aircargonews.net/news/policy/air-cargo-security/single-view/news/video-improving-air-cargo-security-in-the-us.html)