Dennis Dolan Cited for Security Role

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has recognized retired Delta Capt. Dennis Dolan for his extraordinary efforts to advance aviation security. The award was presented during ALPA's Air Safety Forum. He led a task force in identifying vulnerabilities on the nation's airliners and in the air transportation system and helped developed the solutions needed to better secure passengers, crews, and cargo. Dolan also helped establish the Federal Flight Deck Officer program, which deputizes and arms fully trained pilots to defend the cockpit. Dolan shaped ALPA's approach to the threat from shoulder-fired missiles, advocating through a landmark white paper a measured policy based on the actual, rather than perceived, threat posed by MANPADS.

Safe Shipping of Pharmaceuticals

The US Department of Homeland Security, American Airlines Cargo and Pfizer recently took part in a panel discussion on new TSA cargo security requirements. A new TSA Cargo Screening Program requires that pharmaceutical shipments on passenger planes are pre-screened and calls for biopharmaceutical organizations to be qualify for the program in 2010. The panelists addressed the program's background, including pending deadlines, proving the chain of custody and specific requirements for freight forwarders. Specific questions addressed during the panel included: Why does a layered risk-based approach make sense? What innovative steps are being taken to adapt to a 100% screening environment? How will supply chain value be impacted for pharmaceutical shipments?

Imaging Technology at Rochester Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin testing backscatter advanced imaging technology at Greater Rochester International. The security devices quickly and unobtrusively screen passengers for metallic and nonmetallic threats without physical contact. Backscatter imaging technology provides enhanced detection capabilities and is 100 percent optional for all passengers. Privacy protections are in place for the traveler. The security officer who assists the passenger through the screening process never sees the image the technology produces. The image is viewed by a remotely located security officer who never sees the traveler. Further, these technologies cannot save, print, or transmit images. Once the image is deleted it cannot be restored. Backscatter technology uses low-level X-rays. At Rochester, TSA will assess the operational efficiency and public acceptance of backscatter technology as the primary screening technology in lieu of the traditional metal detector.

Airport Security to the Rescue

Swiss cheese is supposed to have holes in it, not bits of metal. But what to do when you've lost a spring and you're pretty sure it's in one of the expensive cheeses you planned to sell? The Bern-Belp Airport allowed the local cheese maker to run seven cheese wheels through an X-ray machine normally reserved for spotting bombs in luggage. Failure to find the spring would have forced the cheese maker to forgo selling the loaves, each worth hundreds of dollars. The airport said the machine spotted the spring, saving the local cheese merchant a lot of time and trouble.

Secure Flight Enters New Public Phase

Beginning August 15, U.S. airlines participating in TSA's Secure Flight passenger vetting program began asking passengers to enter their date of birth and gender when making airline reservations. TSA has begun to phase airlines into the Secure Flight program and will complete domestic implementation by early 2010. This is the second step in implementing the Secure Flight program, which shifts pre-departure watch list matching responsibilities from individual airlines to TSA. The first phase began on May 15 when airlines began asking passengers to provide their name - as it appears on the government issued identification they will be traveling with - when making airline reservations.