Aviation Security: Good News and Bad News on Baggage Screening

by Jim Kouri, CPP Mandated to screen all checked baggage using explosive detection systems at airports by December 31, 2003, the Transportation Security Administration deployed two types of screening equipment: explosives detection systems (EDS), which use computer-aided tomography X-rays to recognize the characteristics of explosives, and explosives trace detection (ETD) systems, which use chemical analysis to detect traces of explosive material vapors or residues. TSA has made substantial progress in installing EDS and ETD systems at the nation’s more than 400 airports to provide the capability to screen all checked baggage using explosive detection systems, as mandated by Congress. However, in initially deploying EDS and ETD equipment, TSA placed stand-alone ETD and the minivan-sized EDS machines—mainly in airport lobbies—that were not integrated inline with airport baggage conveyor systems. TSA officials stated that the agency's ability to initially install inline systems was limited because of the high costs and the time required for airport modifications. These interim lobby solutions resulted in operational inefficiencies, including requiring a greater number of screeners, as compared with using EDS machines inline with baggage conveyor systems. TSA and airport operators are taking actions to install inline baggage screening systems to streamline airport and TSA operations, reduce screening costs, and enhance security. Eighty-six of the 130 airports that were surveyed either have, are planning to have, or are considering installing full or partial inline systems. However, resources have not been made available to fund these expensive systems on a large-scale basis. Also, the overall costs of installing inline baggage screening systems at each airport are unknown, the availability of future federal funding is uncertain, and perspectives differ regarding the appropriate role of the federal government, airport operators, and air carriers in funding these systems. Moreover, TSA has not conducted a systematic, prospective analysis to determine at which airports it could achieve long-term savings and enhance efficiencies and security by installing inline systems or, where inline systems may not be economically justified, by making greater use of stand-alone EDS systems rather than relying on the labor-intensive and less efficient ETD screening process. However, at nine airports where TSA has agreed to help fund the installation of inline baggage screening systems, TSA conducted a retrospective cost-benefit analysis which showed that these inline systems could yield significant savings for the federal government. TSA also estimated that it could recover its initial investment in the inline systems at these airports in a little over 1 year. The Government Accounting Office recommended that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) direct TSA to take several actions needed to systematically evaluate baggage screening needs at airports, including identifying the costs and benefits of installing inline EDS systems or stand-alone EDS machines in lieu of ETD machines, and prioritizing those airports where TSA would benefit by such actions. DHS generally concurred with GAO’s findings and recommendations and described corrective actions that it has initiated or plans to take to address the issues identified. The GAO also reported in February 2004, largely because of shortages of equipment and insufficient time to modify airports to accommodate EDS machines, TSA was unable, at certain airports, to meet the 2002 congressionally established deadline to screen all checked baggage for explosives using EDS and ETD machines. Recognizing the obstacles encountered by TSA, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which, in effect, extended the deadline for screening all checked baggage for explosives until December 31, 2003, for airports at which TSA was unable to meet the earlier deadline. GAO report states that TSA never met the second deadline, as well. Sources: Transportation Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Government Acounting Office, National Security Institute Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores.