Fri, Sep 15, 2006
Government Tightens Security Rules
Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff announced a new directive requiring
explosives screening for all packages checked at airline
counters.
The announcement came at a news conference held at Boston's
Logan International Airport yesterday. The directive is effective
immediately and applies to all airlines at all airports.
At the conference Chertoff said, "This is yet another way in
which we are continuing to constantly raise the level of security
for aviation."
Most airports began voluntarily screening packages for
explosives a few months ago, but the new directive makes it
mandatory. "We closed that gap earlier this year, but we're now
making this a legal requirement," said Chertoff.
Packages submitted for shipment at the airline's counter are
seen as a higher risk because a sender has a better chance of
getting the package on a particular aircraft.
Current rules allow packages shipped via large carriers, who
contract with airlines for space in airliner's holds, to pass
random security checks -- the majority of such packages go aboard
unchecked.
US Rep. Edward Markey, a vocal proponent of the new directive,
applauded the effort, but told the Associated Press in a statement,
"Until the Bush Administration physically screens all cargo on
passenger planes for explosives and requires all cargo to arrive at
the airport in a form that is screenable using existing screening
technology, passenger planes are vulnerable to terrorist attack by
people who don't even fly on the planes they seek to bring
down."
With all the attention on passenger jets, cargo pilots have long
complained of the vulnerability of cargo aircraft. Currently,
personnel working in the air cargo business must attend TSA
training and companies must have an approved security plan in
place.
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