U.S. eyes security of cargo planes

Experts say security measures at cargo facilities are dangerously inadequate.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is increasingly focused on the vulnerability of cargo planes as it responds to intelligence indicating Al-Qaida might use aircraft to strike targets far from major cities, including power plants, dams and oil facilities.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had broadened air patrols throughout the country, while the Transportation Security Administration said it had increased inspections of cargo companies to ensure compliance with tighter rules enacted last month.
A TSA spokesman said extra law enforcement added to the perimeters of airports in the past three days was specifically put in place to fortify air cargo facilities.
In addition, the military deployed surface-to-air missile systems in the Washington area and was considering locating more anti-aircraft systems in the New York City region, a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The warning from the Homeland Security Department on Sunday about a possible Al-Qaida attack this holiday season was focused mainly on the threat from foreign commercial airliners, according to U.S. officials. But cargo planes also were cited as a special concern, and security experts have serious concerns about the air freight industry's readiness.
Inadequate security
Security experts and cargo pilots said the industry's surveillance of airports, planes and freight -- and of warehouse employees who pack boxes -- remains dangerously inadequate, particularly among small and midsized companies.
They also noted that the U.S. government has even less control over cargo and passenger planes originating in other countries.
Several experts said cargo planes are needlessly vulnerable to takeover by someone who sneaks aboard because few are equipped with reinforced cockpit doors. Likewise, there are no flight attendants or passengers who might help defend against an attack.
"An air cargo aircraft remains just as good a weapon -- no, even better -- than a passenger aircraft," said Rafi Ron, president of New Age Security Solutions and the former security director for the Israeli Airport Authority.
Congress recently passed a bill allowing cargo pilots to carry guns, but that has not alleviated pilots' concerns.
Urges screening
James Shilling, a full-time pilot for a major cargo carrier and consultant to the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association, said he would like to see the TSA screen and conduct background checks on every person with direct access to cargo planes.
He also advocates screening all cargo -- with the caveat that technology must first be developed to make it affordable and efficient. Shilling and others say stricter government standards likely would force smaller carriers out of business.
Air cargo consultants say new security mandates might slow down the shipping business, if not bring an end to the next-day delivery business, a critical component of the economy.
Overall, aircraft continue to be a favored method of Al-Qaida, the Osama bin Laden terrorist organization blamed for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, particularly aircraft originating from overseas, officials say.
Possible targets
Some recent intelligence points to possible attacks in cities such as New York, Washington or Los Angeles, which have been targeted by terrorists before. Officials say there also seems to be interest in targeting holiday events that draw large crowds, such as college and professional football games and New Year's celebrations and parades.
Other intelligence "chatter" that led President Bush to put the nation on high "orange" alert for a terrorist strike dealt with attacks against remote facilities, according to law enforcement and intelligence officials speaking Tuesday on condition of anonymity.
One specific threat, they said, was against oil facilities in Valdez, Alaska, where tankers load Prudhoe Bay oil destined for the continental United States.
One official cautioned that most of the reports were uncorroborated -- some were from only a single informant or communications intercept -- and may be unconnected to a larger Al-Qaida plot.
But local officials boosted security at many such facilities, including the Port of Valdez, where armed Coast Guard patrol boats were more visible and ship boardings were on the increase.
Military air patrols will increase "over select cities and facilities" in the coming days, said Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.