AIR FORWARDERS STEP UP ATTENTION TO AIR-CARGO SECURITY

AIR FORWARDERS STEP UP ATTENTION TO AIR-CARGO SECURITY    Air freight forwarders acknowledge that air cargo is a vulnerable and weak link in the security system of the nation’s air transport system.
   At the Air Cargo Americas’ conference in Miami, Michael Dugan, president of Long Beach, Calif.-based Western Overseas Corp., said air cargo is not getting the attention it needs and unfortunately the best plans may not be implemented until the country suffers more losses to terrorist acts.
   Air cargo 'remains vulnerable, and it has the reputation of being the weakest link in our security system,” Dugan said. “Our cargo now becomes the prime target (for terrorists), and we should now protect it.”
   Dugan offered some suggestions to air forwarder executives at the meeting to improve their air cargo security:
   * Limit access to people in cargo areas.
   * Continue enforcement of the Federal Aviation Administration’s “known shipper” rules.
   * Pursue electronic screening of all cargo.
   * Increase education of employees about security requirements.
   'Finally, Dugan referred to four bills in Congress which would address air-cargo security, particularly a bill sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska. Under Young’s bill — The Secure Transportation for America Act of 2001 (H.R.3150) — cargo handlers would fall under federal government jurisdiction.
   Dugan expressed concern about a heavy-handed federal government approach to air cargo security. “I’m not so sure that the government is the answer for everything,” Dugan said.