ACSA Member Testifies Before House Homeland Security Committee

Fernando Soler, the owner of SOS Global Express and a founding member of the Air Cargo Security Alliance, testified this afternoon on the 100% air cargo screening mandate before the House Homeland Security Committee this afternoon.

The hearing, which was chaired by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee - who is the Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee - focused on the August 1, 2010 screening mandate and a report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) which found that there TSA is facing substantial hurdles in achieving 100% screening levels without impeding the flow of commerce as required by federal law.

GAO specifically found that "far fewer shippers and independent CCSFs have joined the [Certified Cargo Screening] Program than TSA has targeted" and that TSA should develop a contingency plan for meeting the 100% screening mandate that "considers alternatives to address potential CCSP participation shortfalls and screening technology limitations."

In his testimony, Mr. Soler discussed the impossibility of participating in the Certified Cargo Screening Program for many small and medium shippers and freight forwarders, stating "Although we believe that the CCSP program is a valid and appropriate approach for many companies, our company and thousands of others have needs not addressed by this program ... For us to participate in CCSP, we would have to set up warehouses and screening equipment at over 100 airports - which will cost between $150,000 and $500,000 per facility."

As ACSA members know well, the air cargo screening regime currently being implemented by TSA will force all of the costs and logistical hurdles of screening air cargo onto airlines, freight forwarders and shippers - and is expected to cost upwards of $600 million annually. Further, we are convinced that the combination of airline screening and CCSP participation will not be able to screen all of the cargo currently shipped on passenger planes - meaning that thousands of tons of air cargo will be grounded daily (a fact that was readily admitted by TSA at today's hearing).

Establishing federal air cargo screening centers at all Category X and Category I airports would preserve thousands of jobs in the air cargo industry and enhance air cargo security - and we will continue to work with Congress to get this done.

If you have any questions regarding today's important hearing, please give us a call at 202-674-1750.

Testimony - HHSC Hearing - June 30, 2010 (Fernando Soler) (PDF) <<<Click Here>>>