AAAE and TSA Meet Over Security

Representatives of AAAE and other aviation industry associations recently met with TSA Assistant Administrator for Security Technology Robin Kane and his staff regarding deployment of new technology at the passenger screening checkpoint, particularly Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). The meeting was the first in a series between TSA and the aviation industry on AIT and passenger screening technology deployment.

The discussion focused on the main areas of concern expressed by AAAE airport members about AIT deployment, specifically the potential impact on through-put, checkpoint configuration and funding for any large-scale infrastructure modifications that may be necessary.

TSA officials stressed that they do not foresee any major impact on checkpoint through-put or configuration. The agency has developed deployment plans that are not expected to have a substantial impact on airport infrastructure, the officials said.

AAAE representatives suggested that, as TSA deploys AIT and other technology at airport passenger screening checkpoints, that best practices and lessons learned be shared with the airports that are next in line on the deployment schedule.

TSA officials pledged to continue to work closely with the aviation community on AIT and passenger checkpoint technology deployment.

Aviation Outsider Named to Lead TSA

President Barack Obama has tapped Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding to head the Transportation Security Administration. Harding is the president's second pick after Erroll Southers withdrew from consideration under fire. Harding was head of operations for the Defense Intelligence Agency prior to his retirement in 2001. Harding served in the Army for 33 years and retired in 2001. Between 2003 and 2009, Harding was a private consultant to the federal government on human intelligence and counterintelligence issues. Harding would be the fifth man to run the TSA, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

More Profiling in Aviation Security

American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey says that TSA needs to do more "behavioral profiling" to separate "the potential bad guys from the non-bad guys." He said "the TSA is doing a good job under extremely tough circumstances. But it's clear to us that in the years and decades to come, there are going to be more and more flights, more and more people flying, and we are not going to be able to manage that level of activity handling security the way we do today," Arpey's spoke at the FAA's Annual Aviation Forecast Conference in Washington.

Plane Spotters Flee India

Two British plane spotters have returned home from India after being fined about $700 for monitoring aircraft. The two railway workers escaped spying charges but were charged with a lesser offence under the Indian Telegraph Act. Suspicion was aroused after they asked for a hotel room overlooking a runway at Indira Gandhi International. Their arrest on Feb. 15 came at a time when India was on high alert two days after a terrorist bomb blast. Indian police detained the two British citizens on suspicion of monitoring flights. Police found the two men in possession of a map of the airport as well as equipment that could be capable of tracking aircraft. But there was no evidence of terrorist activity and the men told police the equipment was meant for plane spotting. The Press Trust of India said the two men possessed "high-tech binoculars".

BA Suicide Bomber Suspect

A British Airways computer worker planned to take advantage of a strike by BA flight attendants to become a temporary cabin crewmember. Rajib Karim, 30, from Newcastle upon Tyne, faces three charges under counter terrorism legislation. He is accused of two counts of planning suicide bombings and his own martyrdom. Investigators were looking into possible contact between Karim and militants in Yemen from where al-Qaeda launched its failed attempt to bring down a U.S. airliner over Detroit at Christmas. Karim was arrested by officers from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command.

Mid-Sized X-ray System on TSA Qualified List

Smiths Detection says its HI-SCAN 130130T-2is X-ray inspection system has been added to the Air Cargo Screening Qualified Technology List (ACSQTL) by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The system, Smiths Detection's sixth addition to the list, provides operators with two views of all scanned items enabling rapid and accurate threat detection. The qualification comes in advance of TSA's August 2010 100 percent screening mandate deadline. The HI-SCAN 130130T-2is, a mid-sized X-ray screener that can handle larger shipments, features a low conveyor enabling simple forklift operations to ease screening. Its larger tunnel opening can handle a wide variety of shipment sizes within a smaller overall footprint. Smiths Detection's other five systems included on TSA's ACSQTL include: HI-SCAN 6040aTiX, HI-SCAN 100100T-2is, HI-SCAN 10080 EDtS, HI-SCAN 10080 EDX-2is and HI-SCAN 180180-2is. All provide operators with dual views of screened cargo in a single scan, thus reducing the overall time required for screening.

IATA: Air Cargo Security is Key

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called upon the entire air cargo industry to adopt a more effective and cost efficient approach to security through IATA's Secure Freight program. Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO, told 750 industry experts attending the IATA World Cargo Symposium being held in Vancouver, Canada, that "2010 will also be a critical year for security. Our Secure Freight strategy focuses on a data-driven, risk-based approach with shared responsibility throughout the supply chain." Secure Freight aims to secure the supply chain by defining, auditing and registering secure operators that act in compliance with a quality assurance system. IATA's target is $468 million in cost savings with enhanced security through consistent standards and procedures. The first pilot is in Malaysia and there are three more planned for this year.