Meeting the challenge
From 1 August all cargo flying from, via and within the US on passenger aircraft will have to undergo 100 percent screening at a single-piece level.With there being a real danger that the pro- cesswill delay the smooth and expedited flowof cargo,many are concerned atwhat happens next
from, via and within the United States will come into effect on 1 August. As a pre-emptive step to assist in the process, Amer- ican Airlines Cargo has been working to raise industry aware- ness about the law. In one move, the Dallas-
T
headquartered carrier brought together an expert panel to dis- cuss cargo screening and what it means to the private sector. Dave Brooks, president of
Brooks calls for global standards in cargo security
American Airlines Cargo, said that with the 100 percent screening mandate getting closer, “we hope to help shippers and freight forwarders in our industry better understand the law’s poten- tial impact and what steps they can take to prepare for the challenges they will face”. Joining Brooks last month (June) in a live
webcastwereDougBrittin, generalmanager, air cargo at the TSA (Transportation Security Administration); Brandon Fried, executive director of the US-based Airforwarders Associa- tion; and Ken Konigsmark, senior manager, supply chain and aviation security compliance, Boeing. Jeffrey Sural, counsel, Alston and Bird’s Leg-
islative & Public Policy Group, acted as moderator of the session. Brooks pointed out that half of the world’s air cargo is currently transported in the bellyhold
he US congressional mandate to screen 100 percent of air cargo transported on all pas- senger aircraft flying
space of passenger aircraft, so simply stating that everything couldmove by freighter “is not a good long-termplan”. Noting that the screening
requirements could not be allowed to impact on the sched- ules of the passenger fleet at American Airlines, Brooks cau- tioned that if the aircraft was ready to go and some freight was still not screened, then that cargo would be left behind. For the Airforwarders Associ-
ation, Fried said it would be “smarter if the shipper did the screening”. As the mandate requires
piece-level screening of air cargo shipments, and there is a shortage of equipment capable of screening built-up cargo, “it’s more prudent to have thework done outside the airport”, he sug- gested, and then brought airside with a secure supply chain in place. Speaking for his members, Fried stated: “We
are no longer in a complaining mood, we are in a compliance mode.We are stepping up to the plate…we are getting it done.” Boeing executive Konigsmark remarked:
“There’s still a gap in awareness and knowledge … despite good efforts”. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic that Boeing could avoid the worst case scenarios in its own supply chain. Thewebcast panelists discussed the success of
the TSA’s Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) in its ability to distribute the responsi- bility throughout the entire supply chain, in a
UPS notes importance of working together
Commenting on the impli- cations of the TSA’s 100 percent cargo screening mandate, a spokesman for express integrator UPS stated: “We take the secu- rity and safety of our air operations very seriously.” Collaboration with other
organisations is an integral part of this approach, he said, explaining: “We regu- larly work with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, US Customs and Border Protection as well as other regulatory bodies and industry groups tomaintain security at a very high level.” The UPS spokesman continued: “While we are always looking at ways to improve
our security, we believe current rules and protocols are working well. In terms of our internal processes, we don’t discuss thempublicly because that would compromise their security.”
way that allows manufacturers, shippers, for- warders and air carriers to receive certification to screen cargo at their own facilities. Brittin advised that shippers should talk to
their freight forwarders, discuss the matter with their airlines and determine what was the best solution pertaining to themselves. He said the TSA believes that distributing responsibility throughout the supply chain is the best way to go forward. Brooks described the screening programme
as “well intentioned”, but he considered it lacking in a proper level of understanding of how the supply chain works, adding: “It’s not the right solution to live with long term.” He
believes a global standard needs to be imple- mented at the highest level. The full broadcast can be viewed at:
www.ustream.tv/recorded/7225857 In testimony to a Homeland Security sub- committee at the US House of Representatives in early March, TSA acting administrator Gale Rossides said 100 percent screening of bellyhold cargo on domestic and outbound flights would be achieved by the deadline. But she observed that it could take another
two years before inbound international bellyhold cargo couldmeet the same requirements, due to delays in getting the necessary amount of co-operation from foreign governments.
19 July 2010
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