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.

FMI: www.dhs.gov