Airport Security-Air Cargo

Airport Security-Air Cargo Out of all forms of passenger and freight transportation, air travel represents the highest levels of logistics complexity. Every day, thousands of aircraft leave the ground to service domestic and foreign countries. Since the World Trade Center attacks that took place on September 11, 2001, the world and especially the United States has been on a heightened state of alert. Although the aviation industries as well as the independent carries are working hard to ensure that the sky remain safe, there are still too many variables that can result in a disaster (Buzdugan, 2005). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (2010), reports that cargo represents a challenge for the airline industry. The reality is suggests the TSA (2010) is, that although there are hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo transported by airplane every day, only about 50,000 tons are classified as cargo. A large amount of the cargo is not classified as such because this segment of packages and boxes are those transported by a passenger carrier, and it is reported that only about 50% are actually screened (TSA, 2010). The issue of cargo is further complicated because the screening process and security measure varies both domestically and internationally. As people continue to get onboard with explosive devices, the TSA and private organizations are working to increase security measures both in the air terminal and on the aircraft. Caton (2010) examined the new set of policies and regulations that will be implemented by the TSA in August of 2010). The author states that when the new regulation take effect the screening of bags, packages, and all other items considered to be cargo will be screened. From a logics perspective claims Caton (2010), more people will have to be hired as well as an increase in the quality and quantity of the equipment used to scan the cargo. Each aspect of the new undertaking is problematic because of the time, money, and

References: Buzdugan, M. (2005). Current and emerging air cargo security and faciliation issues. Retrieved from http://www.tiaca.org/images/tiaca/PDF/Current%20and%20Emerging% 20Air%20Cargo%20Security%20and%20Facilitation%20Iss.pdf Caton, R. (2010, January). Gearing up for 100% air cargo screening. Retrieved from http://www.inboundlogistics.com/articles/scs/scs0110.shtml Keane, G. (2006, May 29). Air cargo secured, finally: TSA rule builds on initial proposal, calls for background checks at $3 million cost. (Transportation security administration 's rules of air cargo security). Journal of Cargo, 5(3), Retrieved from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-146632593/air-cargo-secured-finally.html Lipton, E. (2007, February 9). House democrats want tighter air cargo security . International Herald Tribune , 10(6), Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-134800721.html Transportation Security Administration, . (2010). Air cargo security programs. Retrieved from http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/aircargo/index.shtm