The air cargo system has been associated with several risk factors and threats. Cargo air systems are vulnerable to potential explosives, illegal transportation of hazardous materials, and criminal incidences such as smuggling contraband goods and theft. Also, a significant threat is hijackings. As a result, several measures have been put in place to aid in curbing the growing terrorism cases related to air transport. Therefore, this paper seeks to outline a summary of the measures taken and also to give opinions on probable solutions that aim at enhancing air cargo security.
Summary
According to Price & Forrest (2016), TSA has implemented several measures to secure domestic and inbound types of cargo. In this case, domestic cargo entails cargo transported within the US, whereas inbound entails cargo that has been shipped from other countries internationally. Among the measures implemented is the physical screening of cargo. The screening policy was implemented after the 9/11 attacks. However, this recommendation seemed impossible. Eventually, the system was implemented despite facing opposing forces from several stakeholder groups. In its implementation, TSA was responsible for ensuring that the system is cost-effective and guarantees the provision of feasible services. As a result, its implementation was a significant boost to air cargo security as all passengers and baggage flying on flights were able to be fully screened. Moreover, "more than 460 TSA canine teams are now assigned to 25% of each workday in an air cargo – related environment" (Price & Forrest, p. 456, 2016). Thus, this promotes air security as transportation of explosives, which could have been packed in suitcases, is now prevented.
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Additionally, the canine teams used to screen cargo have continued to undergo training that aims to enhance their screening detections skills. As a result, only a selected group of companies has been cleared to provide canine screening services. These companies include, “AMK9, Global K9 Protection Group, MSA Security, and Cargo Screening K9 Alliance" (Fried, 2019). However, with canine, its technology is expected to change from time to time to enhance service delivery. As a result, there has been the use of man, dog, and machinery, thus enhancing cargo security. However, there has been a need to ensure that stowaways are prevented. In this case, airport operators have the responsibility of monitoring access to airfields. Also, the air operators have the responsibility of ensuring that no person or item is on an aircraft's board without proper screening.
Majorly, these measures are meant to prevent any unauthorized access in areas near an aircraft or rather in an aircraft itself. For instance, Price & Forrest (2016) states that "if a person can access the cargo area, there is a greater threat as they can introduce a bomb into the cargo supply chain, which may result in the device making it onto a passenger flight" (Page 457). Also, renewable imposes danger in air cargo. As a result, governments are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that products such as lithium batteries are investigated before making their way to aircraft since, in most cases, they are usually undetected (Fried, 2019) . Thus, there is a need to ensure all-round surveillance in and out of airports instead of concentrating on luggage and passengers only.
Personal Opinion
Both the textbook and the Homeland security text have outlined airport vulnerabilities. However, both have majorly emphasized on cargo security. As a result, most of the terrorism activities which entail bombing are undertaken through bomb transportation in the form of cargo. As a result, airport staff must be responsible for ensuring that they detect all illegal materials. Therefore, the implementation of the detection systems is a significant measure as it ensures that any luggage or person on board is clean from any explosive or hazardous material. Also, airport controls need to ensure all-round surveillance, which should aim at preventing any unauthorized entry. Also, companies that ship renewable sources of energy should thoroughly investigate their products to ensure that they are safe and cannot result in explosions. Hence, this will create a safe airport environment as it will ensure that all terrorism activities and accidental activities are curbed, thus ensuring stability in the economy and promoting passengers' safety.
References
Fried, B. (2019, December 4). Safe Skies: How Air Cargo Security Evolves to Protect Passengers and Boost the Economy . Retrieved from HOMELAND SECURITY: https://www.hstoday.us/industry/safe-skies-how-air-cargo-security-evolves-to-protect-passengers-and-boost-the-economy/
Price, J., & Forrest, J. (2016). Practical Aviation Security: Predicting and Preventing Future Threats (3rd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.
