TSA & Air Cargo Screening

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for ensuring the security of cargo placed aboard aircraft, particularly passenger carrying airplanes.
Approximately 12 million pounds of cargo is transported daily on passenger aircraft. TSA must significantly strengthen security of air cargo as part of the 9/11 Bill, which was signed into law in August 2007. Measures in place assure the safety of air cargo on passenger planes through a risk-based, layered security approach. TSA employs 300 transportation security inspectors who are exclusively dedicated to the oversight of air cargo. An additional 150 air cargo inspectors will be added by the end of the year.
In addition, more than 460 TSA-certified canine teams each spend at least 25 percent of their workday in the cargo environment. By the end of the year, TSA will add another 170 canine teams whose primary focus will be cargo. TSA has a goal of screening 50 percent of all air cargo on passenger carrying aircraft by February 2009 and 100 percent by August 2010. Through the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) participating manufacturing companies, warehouse/third party logistics and indirect air carriers will conduct security screening programs in accordance with TSA guidelines, screening cargo intended for transport on passenger aircraft at several points in the supply chain, including at its origin. Creating a secure chain of custody will keep commerce and freight flowing securely and reduce congestion at airports.