Week
One Of USA 100% Screening
It was supposed to be the
biggest, if not the most ominous, day in air cargo history.
What began on August 1 – mandated
100 percent screening of all USA belly cargo – turned out to be
about what did not happen.
So far, at least those who set the wind
of screening have not reaped the whirlwind, as was thought might be the
case when late last year the predictions of dread and doom were swirling
through the minds of all those involved.
Could it be that air cargo got it right?
Or maybe the industry was just lucky?
As August 1 approached, we spoke to a select
group of air cargo leaders to find out what they thought would happen.
Here are some thoughts four days after 100
percent screening began in USA.
If you are looking for a good barometer
of how 100 percent belly cargo screening is doing after one week, look
no further. We had a brief conversation with EMO Trans Customized Global
Logistics, a mid-sized international freight forwarder and global logistics
service provider, and learned a lot about the process and its current
effects on the industry.
Joachim Frigger
CEO
EMO Trans
The company CEO, Jo Frigger, is based in Long Island, New York and oversees
operations in air freight and ocean freight services for direct, intermodal,
and consolidated cargo for import shipments and export shipments.
EMO also provides warehousing, distribution,
packing, insurance, letters of credit, customs brokerage, and chartering.
With a mission to stay close to its customer
base while providing reliable and professional international freight forwarding
and global logistics services, Herr Frigger often speaks up at gatherings
such as CNS and has also appeared in Washington on behalf of hundreds
of small to medium transportation companies.
“All my offices have reported that
there have been no problems for the first week of mandated screening.
“We use a variety of processes - from
our own screening, to airline, to third party.
“Surprisingly, there have been no
delays at carriers, just extended close-out times.
“But as we say ‘one swallow
does not make a summer’: it's the first week in the slow season.
“We shall see how it proceeds when
business heats up.
“At this time, airlines take the build
up units apart, screen the cargo and put the units back together.
“We wonder if this can continue with
more volume.
“All cargo aircraft is, of course,
preferred space.”
 Klaus
Holler
Vice President, Cargo the Americas
Lufthansa
“No reported problems.
“As we started 100 percent screening
July 1st, 2010 (a month earlier), our operations were completely ready
for August 1st.
“Lufthansa has increased our manpower
and resources in order to meet this mandate, the additional work load
is currently being handled without delays or stoppage of cargo shipments.
“For those that are still looking
for options, we have our Supply Chain Solutions Concept with partners
Lufthansa Cargo, Covenant Aviation Security and Smiths Detection.
“Supply Chain Solutions outreach is
still being conducted within the industry for those that may want to explore
the benefits of the CCSP program within their own operation or through
one of our certified Independent Cargo Screening Facilities.
“We are committed to continue working
with our customers as the mandate continues and future security regulations
are imposed.”
Dave Brooks
President
American Airlines Cargo
“So far so good!
“Virtually no glitches or delays anywhere,
no cargo delayed due to screening.
“Customers looking for help or further
information can go to www.aacargo.com and click on the ‘are you
ready?’ tab.”
 Neel
Shah
Vice President
Delta Cargo
“The first few days of the 100 percent
screening mandate have presented a few challenges, but overall the operation
is running very smoothly and we haven’t seen a drop in volumes as
a result of the new fees and requirements.
“Our strategic partners are, for the
most part, CCSP certified so they are tendering 100 percent of the cargo
pre-screened.
“We have had a few transfer shipments
from South America that have needed to be broken down and rescreened in
the US gateway prior to connecting to a flight to Europe or Asia.
“The TSA did revoke the ETD amendment
for NRT, so we are purchasing another large aperture x-ray machine so
our NRT team can effectively screen banded skids without having to break
down the skid.
“This machine should arrive within
the next 30 days.
“Other than that, things are pretty
calm and Delta Cargo is meeting the mandate in full.
 Doug
Britten,
General Manager Cargo
Transportation Security Administration
“To
date, we have not seen any issues at the carriers in the U.S.
“TSA
is in close contact with the wide body carriers at the main U.S. gateways,
and they are reporting mostly smooth operations.
“They
had a finger on the pulse in discussions with their forwarders leading up
to the date, and have been able to gauge how much pre-screened volume they
would be receiving.
“Many of them
invested in additional equipment, such as large aperture x-ray (capable
of screening 48 x 48 x 65 skids of homogenous cargo), to ensure the balance
of unscreened cargo they receive is screened effectively.
“We
have not heard any complaints from the forwarder or shipping community regarding
any issues.
“I think the carriers
did an excellent job of communicating to them in advance all of the necessary
information regarding changes in cut-off times, fees, configuration requirements
and operational processes.
“All
of that helped ensure everyone was well prepared.
“So
far, we have not seen any issues with the technology or the procedures,
as most of that has been in full operation since February 2009, they are
just pumping more screened volume through the system.
“Currently,
we are seeing about 10 million pounds per month being uplifted in the US,
but with the economy starting to turn upwards a bit, and the usual volume
increases in the fourth quarter, we expect that to increase.
“For
anyone who wishes to get additional information on the 100 percent mandate
and TSA's approach, as well as information on the Certified Cargo Screening
Program (CCSP), the direct link to TSA's website is
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/aircargo/certified_screening.shtm
“The website also lists all freight
forwarders and Independent Cargos Screening Facilities (ICSF) in the U.S.
by city and state.”
 Jim
McKeon
Vice President Cargo
Continental Airlines
“CO Cargo was well-prepared for the
August 1 milestone.
“Cargo has been moving smoothly and
there have been no bottlenecks.
“Both our new large aperture AT scanners
are in place and running at Houston Bush and Newark Liberty cargo facilities.
(supplementing advanced screening technology in 75 other stations).
“We are seeing growing volumes of
CCSF-screened cargo and support that traffic by waiving security surcharges.”
 Karen
Avestruz
Director of Cargo Security and Compliance
Worldwide Flight Services
“The forwarders have been pretty well-prepared
so far.
“Since the mandate took effect on
a Sunday, the first couple of days were light as far as volume, so there
was little effect operationally.
“Add to that soft volumes for European
destinations due to August vacation – I would say the TSA certainly
timed this right.
“We have the opportunity to work with
our forwarders and carriers to make sure all processes and procedures
are clear before we see the heavier fall and winter volumes.
“We have not experienced delays so
far on origin cargo; however, international transfer cargo has been a
bit of an issue. The screening certification required to make the transfer
to US passenger flights has not arrived consistently, resulting in re-screening
of a few shipments.
“We continue to work closely with
our local shippers and forwarders to educate them regarding the benefits
of delivering pre-built and pre-screened cargo to the carrier, making
WFS an integral part of the process.
“Our ability to provide both screening
and handling services gives our customers a valuable advantage in tendering
cargo to the carriers.”
 Kyle
Betterton,
Vice President United Cargo,
Managing Director United Airlines
“Flawless!
“We have no changes planned, as all
went as planned.
“All the resource,
communications, planning and investments paid off and resulted in a very
smooth transition to 100% security.
“However,
we still have the busy part of the week ahead of us, so we are not letting
our guard down.
“We continue to
have our corporate leadership team deployed at all our hubs to ensure we
are meeting our customers’ expectations and if any challenges arise,
we are quickly adjusting to ensure we deliver what we have committed to
our customers.
“No cargo has been
delayed due to security.
“There
were a couple of customers that were still confused about policy, but quickly
recovered to tender their freight according to our acceptance policies.
“If customers still have questions about
100 percent security, they can go to two places: www.unitedcargo.com
or our security hotline 24/7 at 1-800 822 2746.
 Brandon
Fried
President
Airforwarders Association:
“The first week of 100 percent screening
seems to be somewhat uneventful, but I plan to administer a survey to
determine membership reaction.
“We will share the results with everyone
once available.
“While there may be sporadic issues
throughout the country, the lack of delays is not surprising given the
amount of preparation in advance put forth by industry and the TSA.
“This included a number of screening
thresholds imposed by the agency before the 100 perccent requirement,
aggressive CCSP outreach and the required narrow body screening amendment
which took effect over a year and a half ago.
“Finally, since August is a traditionally
slow month for air cargo, we may not begin to see the true impact until
sometime in September.
“If unsure of the requirements of
100 percent screening, folks can contact the TSA or the Airforwarders
Association.
“If I cannot answer the question,
our group has a team of highly qualified industry experts who can provide
advice.”
Geoffrey Arend/Flossie Arend
|
In
an address to forwarding agents, LH Cargo announced a rate increase of
20 percent on average together with an adjustment of security surcharges
that will go up from 0.17 euros to 0.20 euros for each flown kilogram.
Both prices will come into effect October 1, this year.
