Shippers fought full screening of cargo planes

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Shippers fought full screening of cargo planes
By Associated Press
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - Added 1 minute ago

WASHINGTON — Despite knowing for decades that terrorists could sneak bombs onto planes, the U.S. government failed to close obvious security gaps amid pressure from shipping companies fearful tighter controls would cost too much and delay deliveries.

Intelligence officials around the world narrowly thwarted an al-Qaida mail bomb plot last month, intercepting two explosive packages shipped from Yemen with UPS and FedEx.

But it was a tip from Saudi intelligence, not cargo screening, that turned up the bombs before they could take down airplanes. Company employees in Yemen were not required to X-ray the printer cartridges the explosives were hidden inside. Instead, they looked at the printers and sent them off, U.S. officials said.

The scare is prompting officials in Washington and around the world to rethink air cargo security. Lobbying by the multibillion-dollar freight industry has helped kill past efforts to impose tough rules.






Read more: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/general/view/20101109shippers_fought_full_screening_of_cargo_planes/

[icnorth]

1. Pffft! Government regulations inhibit

economic growth don't you know? We mustn't ever restrict the free movement of goods and services. :spank: Let's concentrate on the real security problem of little old ladies in tennis shoes wandering around airports unattended. :sarcasm: off

[RC]

2. So now we are going to have to forever open up all printer cartridges

shipped by air.
Why can't they do like they make us do with liquids, put them in zip-lock bags, then we'd are safe from being blown up.

[City Lights]

3. Of course they did.

Too bad there is no passenger lobby to fight full-body scans.

[Roland99]

4. Incompetence and/or inoperable equipment is helping for now...at least in Detroit

Many people are being waved right through.