Air Cargo Security - The Cost of Doing Business in the 21st Century

Abstract

In the United States, the newly created Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as part of the larger Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has assumed overall responsibility for transportation security. The US government has generally relied heavily on strategic partnerships with industry to reach their security goals. Other countries have followed suit. However, the Europeans and the Israeli’s have been far less enthusiastic than the Americans in permitting the industry to police itself. Some air cargo security programs outside the US are in the forefront, particularly European Union programs. All of these efforts, regardless of location, face long term transportation security challenges that can seem daunting and sometimes insurmountable. This paper addresses the need to improve and enhance the Air Cargo security program in the US and make it more seamless with international models. The government has justifiably claimed to have made significant improvements in making the US transportation system more resistant to terrorist attacks. They have repeatedly publicized the fact that since December 31, 2002, 100 percent of baggage checked at the nation's 450 commercial airports has been screened for explosives and other harmful materials before being loaded onto a plane. However, the strategy relating to air cargo security, not checked baggage, which is needed to mitigate remaining vulnerabilities must be addressed as soon as possible. Most aviation security and “operator” practitioners would agree that the level of security in this particular “air cargo” sector is little better than it was on or before September 11, in spite of a significant amount of money spent and the passage of numerous pieces of legislation.