Early indications are the airline industry and its shipping customers have adapted well to the U.S. government's new mandate to screen all cargo on passenger planes against potential terrorist bombs. There have been few, if any, noticeable operational complications at airports since the rule took effect a little over a week ago.
"By and large we're hearing that things are going very smoothly, with some minor hiccups. Nothing major," Douglas Brittin, general manager of air cargo for the Transportation Security Administration, said. "We've been in close communication with all the major wide-body carriers. They've all indicated that operations are moving very smoothly. People are adhering to the earlier cutoff times for unscreened cargo, so that eliminated potential delays."
Ground handling agents that manage outsourced cargo loading for multiple airlines also report normal shipment flow, he added.
"So far, so good," said Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association, who has been taking the pulse of his members.
