Airport Security-Air Cargo Essay Example

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 other resources that are needed to screen the volume of packages that travel through the nation’s terminals (Caton, 2010).

There is also another reality that exists, even if the system reaches 100% compliance, there is no guarantee that air terminals outside of the United states will take the same measures. In addition, there are issues domestically that could impact the practices.

In addition to the increase in resources the government will need to increase the screening process, the air industry faces what may be considered to be the largest issue in ensuring the new program is a success (Keane, 2006).

The human interaction in any industry represents a plethora of problems and for the aviation industry; the risks that are posed by unscrupulous employees could be life-threatening (Keane, 2006). Although the author’s research in the field of aviation security dates back to before the engagement of the new regulations set forth by the TSA, leaders in both the private and public sector pre-determined that an increase in the employee’s needed to meet the 100% requirement would mean a large increase in payroll and the need to perform a higher level of background check on each perspective employee (Keane, 2006).

Domestically, the airline industry employs over 82,000 employees; if the security personnel are added to the number of private employee population, the number of people that affiliated with the

transportation and screening of cargo exceeds well over 100,000 (Keane, 2006). There is no way of determining what percentage of this mass of people has the potential of posing a security threat, but with a population of this size, it could be speculated that a risk is present.

Securing air cargo is not only an issue for the airline industry; there are a number of political problems that are associated with implementing the mandates that have been set forth by the TSA. In fact, claims Lipton (2007) the regulations and money needed to enforce the new policies have become a heated debate between Republicans and democrats in Congress. Any additional expense that will affect a domestic company from earning a profit is of great concern to Republicans. The TSA is in the process of trying to secure 143 million dollars in grants.

However; the expense is large and will be ultimately passed onto the taxpayer, the cargo carries, and ultimately the consumer (Lipton, 2007). In contrast, the Congressional Democrats affirm the need for the heightened security measures and are curtly seeking even higher security measures to secure the public.

Lipton (2007) reports that the measures that the Democrats are proposing will elevate the level of screening to that of checked and carry-on baggage and if approved, will cost the taxpayer additional 600 million dollars per annum. No doubt security and afety cost money and in order to sustain an initiative it is imperative that the public and private sector collaborates to assume the responsibility and expense for the current and future regulations that are needed to maintain safe air passage for not only the passenger,

but the cargo as well. How does the screening of cargo affect the airline passenger? The TSA (2010) reports, that the impact that 100% screening regulations will have on the passenger, is significant. Although passenger cargo loads only represent 25% of all the cargo that is transported by air, the passenger load represents 95% of all people that travel domestically.

Therefore states the TSA (2010), the level of casualties and death that can come pursuant to a terrorist action aboard one of these aircraft could be immeasurable. The TSA claims that even though only 50% of the onboard cargo is being fully screened, the threat of a situation taking place is high unlikely.

However, with the forthcoming regulations that are scheduled to go into effect in August and the introduction of new technology, the TSA states that in a program test of the practices and technology in 250 airports, the turnaround time for screening was virtually no different than what is presently being experienced (TSA, 2010).

The agency is also making changing to its employee screening process. The TSA estimates that within the next three years, security personnel will increase by 100,000 employees making it critical that the people brought into service have little or no past history that would compromise the safety of the passengers, crew, aircraft, or the payload that it is carrying (TSA, 2010). There is still a shadow over the question of if the domestic screening of cargo can reach and maintain a level that will ensure safe passage for people and employees that travel with a payload.

The events that took place on September 11, 2001 have moved the aviation

industry as well as the legislature into rethinking the way in which people and goods are moved through the air. It could be argued that terrorism was the wake-up call the world needed in order to realize how venerable air travel and shipping really are. Each time an event takes place on an aircraft, the industry is challenged in working harder to identify potential problems within the screening and security processes.

Additionally, the problem of terrorism cannot be overcome, unless there is a standardized set of practices that are embraced throughout the world. The threat of terrorism is not a new one. Countries like Israel and their national airline El Al has been screening and detaining passengers from it inception.

To date, there have never been a successful bombing on an El Al aircraft. In Germany, the national police patrol bus, subway, train, and aircraft terminals with bomb-sniffing dogs.

The officers are also very well armed and will take action at a moment’s notice. Until American travels abroad do he or she get a full understanding of what airport security truly looks like yet there is not a day that goes by that there is not a passenger complaining about the long delay and the security measures that are taking place domestically. To these ends, it only makes sense that the level of security and screening remain or increase in order to maintain national security.