Passenger notification in latest Markey bill on cargo inspections

Passenger notification in latest Markey bill on cargo inspections    Shippers and air freight transportation providers may have thought a few weeks ago they killed for good in this congressional session legislation requiring 100 percent inspection of cargo on passenger planes. But like a Freddy Krueger horror flick, it’s back with a scary twist for the cargo industry.
   Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who has pushed for mandatory inspections for three years, along with Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said they would offer amendments to the Department of Homeland Security’s 2006 authorization bill to require explosives inspections for all cargo prior to transport on a passenger plane.
   The House Homeland Security Committee dropped an amendment for such a security regime in late April. Markey and Shays subsequently introduced similar legislation calling for inspections on passenger and all-cargo planes.
   The lawmakers will try to get their legislation attached to the bill during deliberations by the full House. Markey’s latest proposal calls for 100 percent physical screening by 2008. Under a graduated approach, 35 percent of cargo must be inspected by the end of fiscal year 2006 and 65 percent by the end of 2007.
   A second amendment requires DHS to notify passengers when unscreened cargo is being carried in the cargo hold of an airplane. The measure appears designed to generate public support for a stricter inspection regime.
   “Air cargo is routinely inspected in several other nations and, given that the U.S. is target number one, we can no longer afford to roll the dice,” Shays said a statement.
   Air cargo is routinely inspected in Israel, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the representatives said.