Transportation Expert Christopher Alf Outlines Key Strategies to Implement TSA 9/11 Act

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Transportation expert and founder of National Air Cargo (www.nationalaircargo.com), Christopher Alf (Chris Alf), today announced the six strategies he recommends for successful execution of the "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007." According to the act, the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) mandate is to screen 100 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft commensurate with the level of security used for checked baggage by August 2010.

According to Christopher Alf, several months ago many in the air cargo industry believed that implementation of the act by the deadline was impossible due to a lack of sophisticated screening technology being available and affordable across the states. However, in September 2009 the TSA announced an Interim Final Rule implementing the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), which Chris Alf and other industry experts have supported.

"The air cargo industry has always had security as the top priority," said Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association. "CCSP is a valuable tool that provides another layer of security. Even with the progress to date, achieving 100 percent screening by the deadline will nonetheless be an immense challenge for the industry, not out of lack of will or resources, but instead because of the scope of the task and variations in cargo that do not exist in passenger baggage."

Under the CCSP, the program praised by the AFA and Chris Alf, facilities gain certification to implement a TSA program enforcing secure chain-of-custody for cargo from the time it is screened to when it is loaded on passenger aircraft.  

"The CCSP program is great success for the TSA, and one of the keys to solving the challenges to compliance," stated Chris Alf.  "However, it is not the only strategy that should be put into place, because if there are not enough shippers or forwarders enrolled in the program than the air carriers may end up with the full responsibility."

Chris Alf continues "It could be detrimental to the economy if a significant number of airlines end up having to screen 100% of cargo at the airports. It would cause a bottleneck and loss of efficiency."

With that in mind, Christopher Alf of National Air Cargo outlined several additional strategies to allow the industry to meet the TSA mandate in time.

• Set up more CCSP locations: While it is great that the CCSP is being expanded with the new interim rule, there are still no facilities in crucial airports in Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. Christopher Alf believes that without the establishment of more locations quickly, the ensuing bottleneck in the supply chain in August could have a disastrous effect on critical and perishable cargo.
• Roll out wide body screening facilities first: 75% of cargo that needs screening is being shipped on wide body aircraft. It would be most efficient for the TSA to focus on getting facilities established at terminals that service wide body aircraft as apposed to terminals that service narrow body jets.
• Encourage more shippers to participate in the certified narrow jet program: Christopher Alf also believes that one of the biggest challenges to the industry is the high percentage of cargo being shipped in wide body aircraft. Additional participation by air forwarders and carriers in shipping through narrow body aircraft could decrease the traffic in the larger screening facilities, where more bottlenecking of cargo is likely to occur.
• Integrate security further up in the supply chain: Another option to lessen the flow of traffic to the CCSP locations is to set up additional screening capacity upstream in the supply chain. By approving and validating trusted vendors, Chris Alf believes we can ensure a secure chain of custody until cargo reaches the aircraft. For example, when Sony produces a television the supplier could adhere tamperproof tape to the box so its contents could be trusted throughout the supply chain.
• Establish industry-wide protocols: In the case of expanding the secure vendors program, Congress would be wise to provide more guidance and establish protocols for what type of equipment and security measures need to be undertaken in order to maintain the safety of the cargo.
• Additional funding for key stakeholders: According to Chris Alf, congress needs to continue providing appropriate authorization and funding for key stakeholders in the supply chain. Implementing the security processes to screen cargo prior to arrival at the airport will take additional technology and staff training. In addition, the airports themselves may not have the space or be able to afford the imaging machines for large cargo.

About National Air Cargo

Founded by Christopher Alf, since 1991 National Air Cargo has provided high quality and efficient freight forwarding services for many military and industrial customers. National Air Cargo offers airlift operations with appropriate aircraft with payload options ranging from four tons to 250 tons to countries throughout the world.

SOURCE National Air Cargo