"Air Cargo Loopholes May Risk Security"

Monday, October 23, 2006

Air Cargo Loopholes May Risk Security
A CBS News Investigation Finds 5 Out Of 6 Packages In Test Were Not Visibly
Opened Or Inspected
The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News


These days, air travelers are subject to extensive searches to protect
against a terrorist attack. But what about the billions of pounds of cargo
loaded into aircraft every day? CBS News chief investigative correspondent
Armen Keteyian has an exclusive report on this major security problem. It's
the result of a two-month investigation.

The government on Monday issued new directives designed to further tighten
air cargo security. Last week, CBS News showed TSA officials the results
from an elaborate test it conducted to see what packages could get through. 

A CBS News producer with a hidden camera was sent to a shipping company near
London's Heathrow Airport, armed with a lead-lined package that could hide a
bomb. In this case, it holds only high-speed film. The package is specially
designed so CBS News would be able to tell whether security has opened or
x-rayed it. The super-sensitive film would show that. 

The cargo was shipped on a fight of CBS' choosing: American Airlines 115,
direct from London to JFK Airport in New York. There were nearly 200
passengers and 100,000 pounds of cargo aboard. 

CBS News conducted the same kind of air cargo experiment on three other
international flights: United from London to JFK, Continental from Rio de
Janeiro to Houston, and American 45 from Paris to JFK. 

You're not supposed to be able to just walk up to a shipping company, name a
flight, and put your package on a plane, like we did overseas. After 9/11,
the airline industry - both here and around the world - instituted what's
called the "Known Shipper" program to deter a terrorist attack. 

To become a "Known Shipper," you first fill out a simple form, then submit
to a basic background check. If it is approved, you operate basically on an
honor system - that what you say is inside a package is actually there. 

"In a lot of cases, I almost feel like some of these shippers - due to the
lack of inspectors - are overseeing themselves," says William McReynolds,
chairman of air cargo for the Airline Pilots Association. "It's the fox
guarding the henhouse in many cases." 

In the case of cargo-only planes, experts say security is even more suspect.
CBS News tested it, sending two more packages on jumbo jets flying from
Dulles Airport near Washington to Los Angeles. 

In the end, the packages finally made their way to CBS News' offices in New
York. But in looking at the markings on the box, it appears that the package
wasn't opened. 

In all, five of the six packages that CBS News sent on planes were not
visibly opened or inspected. The package sent from Rio on Continental
Airlines was the only one that was opened. According to CBS experts, none of
the hidden film was examined by x-ray. 

Robert Jamison, second-in-command at the TSA, stands by their inspections. 

"I think you're not accurately representing--the--levels of explosive
detection that we have in place," he says after being told of the results by
Keteyian. 

Even without opening cargo, Jamison says, it can be inspected with
explosive-detection devices and bomb-sniffing dogs. He says the public
should "absolutely" feel safe and secure with the packages that are in the
belly of the airplane. 

However, despite such certainty - and the TSA's announcement today of
enhanced air cargo security - these changes will not completely close the
loopholes we found in the system. 

Air Cargo Security In Focus

What Happens To Cargo Loaded Into Aircraft Everyday In The U.S.?

These days air travelers are subject to extensive searches to protect
against a terrorist attack. But what about the cargo loaded into the belly
of the aircraft everyday in the United States? 

What is the TSA? 

The Transportation Security Administration, TSA, was formed following the
September 11, 2001 attacks. The agency is a component of the Department of
Homeland Security and is responsible for security of the nation's
transportation systems. 

With its state, local and regional partners, the TSA oversees security for
the highways, railroads, buses, mass transit systems, ports and the 450 U.S.
airports. It employs approximately 50,000 people.

How much cargo is transported? 

About 50,000 pounds of air cargo are loaded each year into the belly of an
aircraft around the world... only 15 percent, at most, of which is
inspected, CBS News reports.

What is the new directive for screening air cargo? 

TSA is issuing a directive to the airlines today, which tightens the
requirements for the screening of air cargo on passenger airline flights,
but stops far short of screening all cargo for explosives. 

A TSA spokesperson told CBS News, "All air cargo transported on passenger
planes will be screened or submitted to robust layered security measures for
domestic and international air cargo." 

This directive applies to cargo that is shipped by freight companies on
passenger airline flights. It follows a directive issued last month which
required screening for all "counter-to-counter" air cargo -- packages
checked at airline ticket counters by individuals for shipment aboard
passenger flights.

What are some of the regulations for air cargo? 

With TSA's new air cargo regulation, TSA will be doing 100,000 more
background checks, specifically on cargo employees. The rule requires more
robust checks and more visibility on the shipping companies and their
employees. Additionally, they have extended security areas at the airport to
include air cargo areas.

What is an indirect carrier? 

An Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) means any person or entity within the United
States not in possession of an Federal Aviation Administration air carrier
operating certificate, that undertakes to engage indirectly in air
transportation of property and uses for all or any part of such
transportation the services of a passenger air carrier. Each Indirect Air
Carrier must adopt and carry out a security program that meets our
requirements.

How does the TSA inspect air cargo? 

The TSA-certified explosives detection canine teams are readily deployable
and cost effective, serve as deterrents to would-be terrorists, and provide
proven detection of explosives. 

In the airport environment, TSA uses explosives detection canine teams to
search aircraft, cargo, vehicles, terminals, warehouses, and luggage.
Currently, there are 425 explosive detection canine teams working at over 75
airports nationwide, conducting random screening of cargo and surveillance
of cargo facilities.

Click or paste the link to view the video:
Armen Keteyian talks to security expert Stephen Flynn about the chances of
an explosive device making its way into a plane's cargo hold.
 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/23/cbsnews_investigates/main2116738.s
html

Attached Photo:

A test conducted by CBS News showed that five out of six packages were not
visibly opened or inspected.

image2117193g.jpg