"Quality Technologies Balance SFO's Security And Operations"

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Quality Technologies Balance SFO's Security And Operations
Airport Security Report


San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has become a model of security and
efficiency by emphasizing innovative security practices that go beyond
government regulations, and embracing a strong technological commitment that
promotes superior customer service and yields operational benefits. 

For its vision to achieve top quality security by focusing scarce resources
on challenging goals, without compromising operations and service, San
Francisco International Airport has earned the honorable mention in Airport
Security Report's 2004 "Exceptional Performance in Airport Security Awards."


The commitment to security is not new at SFO. In fact, its innovative and
groundbreaking decision to install a biometric access control system more
than 10 years ago, combined with its decision to screen all passenger
checked baggage on international flights starting in December 2000, put it
ahead of the curve when new regulations were imposed after the 9/11
terrorist attacks. 

"These steps as well as many more were initiated and executed as a result of
SFO's drive to lead, and not as a result of enforced regulation," said one
of the five Airport Security Report award judges. "Since 9/11, SFO has been
busy completing improvements that exceed TSA regulations and [the airport]
continues to proactively explore and adopt cutting-edge solutions with
substantial investment of their own resources. SFO should be an example for
its proactiveness versus the reactive approach so common in many U.S.
airports." 

Being in close proximity to one of the most technologically driven areas of
the United States has provided SFO with acute knowledge of security
innovations. In turn, SFO has keenly chosen which technologies to rely upon.


Over the years, the airport has benefited from having InVision Technologies
[INVN], the first manufacturer to pass the Federal Aviation Administration's
(FAA) explosives detection systems (EDS) test, in its backyard. 

"We use appropriate technologies to both improve security and improve
efficiency," Robert McKinley, assistant deputy director of security and
operations, told Airport Security Report. "Overall, I think technology is a
key direction we have to go in as a nation to make the improvements that are
needed at a reasonable cost. We spent a lot of time evaluating our system
and the capacity of our system and if the technology would work or not." 

The international terminal that opened in December 2000 included a
European-style multi-level checked bag screening system. Advanced-technology
X- ray machines were used to initially screen bags, with human screeners at
the second level and InVision CTX-9000 machines at the third level. 

After 9/11, the airport quickly moved in the direction of using CTX-9000
machines throughout the airport. First, the international terminal was
reconfigured with the machines - with SFO paying for them. 

Now, the domestic terminal is 85 percent finished. McKinley said the project
should be completed in March 2005. It was only logical to deploy the
expensive but operations-friendly machines into baggage conveyor systems. 

"The in-line solution made a lot of sense for the level of security we
wanted to see in that environment," McKinley said. "We wanted very good
security for checked baggage." 

One problem the airport had to confront was the large amount of checked
baggage going to Asia. Officials felt it necessary to fully examine what are
known in the industry as the toughest bags to screen. People who travel to
Asia tend to pack larger bags for the long trip, and X-ray machines have
more trouble penetrating them. 

The project to install 45 CTX-9000 machines will cost nearly $120 million,
including procurement of the machines and conveyor systems. Although the
initial investment is high, SFO officials said the cost to operate the
system will be only $0.35 per bag after the infrastructure is installed. In
comparison, lobby-based EDS and trace explosives detection (ETD) screening
systems, which perform more poorly in terms of security, efficiency and
customer service, cost in excess of $2 per bag because human labor is
necessary. 

For passenger screening, the airport built an extensive closed-circuit
television system in a security command center. From the center, staff can
monitor all 39 checkpoint lanes plus all airline ticket counters. Staff can
direct mobile screeners to high-volume lanes at any point to improve traffic
flow. 

SFO also is participating in one of five test projects in the United States
to investigate the use of private firms for passenger screening. Screeners
with the private security firm Covenant Aviation Security operate the
checkpoints under TSA management. 

The firm has introduced a number of private industry practices. The company
hired a team of baggage handlers to carry bags, which has cut down on
workman compensation claims from screeners. Other hiring, uniform service
and attendance programs have built a professional force with a 15 percent
attrition rate, less than 5 percent overtime pay and screener absenteeism of
only 3.5 percent, according to Covenant. 

"It's worked well because they've kept their positions filled," said John
Martin, SFO's CEO. "That was one of the key reasons why we went with a
private company. We were concerned the federal agency would not do a good
job of filling vacancies." 

Ed Gomez, the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) federal
security director at SFO, said Covenant has worked well due to the close
leadership TSA provides. "The risk is too high not to consistently be in a
very close working relationship with them. They perform at a high level," he
told Airport Security Report. 

But SFO realizes its security is only as good as the rest of the system's
since 33 percent of SFO's passengers originate at other airports. "So truly,
SFO security is no better than the security at the worst airport in the
country," Martin said. "The biggest challenge that we as a country face is
that Washington has to find a way to get the in-line systems completed on a
much faster basis. Then they can more aggressively address the issues of
cargo and mail screening, the screening of carry-on bags, the screening of
employees and access to the airfield area." 

Those solutions again will focus on new technologies, which will prove to be
another government challenge. "What we're really concerned about is that we
choose systems and technologies to coincide with national objectives so that
we start gaining some synergy in a total aviation system as opposed to
standing out here by ourselves doing our own thing," McKinley said.

Contacts: John Martin and Robert McKinley, SFO, 650/821-5000; Ed Gomez, TSA,
650/821-5872


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