TSA evaluates explosives detection equipment for air cargo
The Transportation Security Administration began tests this week at three major airports to determine whether machines used to detect explosives in checked baggage can successfully inspect loose, non-palletized parcels moved on planes by airline cargo divisions.
The Homeland Security agency said tests, which will last two months, are being conducted at Atlanta Hartsfield, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami international airports and will soon spread to Anchorage, Los Angeles and Chicago O’Hare airports.
TSA purchased the explosives screening equipment for use by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines.
The security program “takes us one step closer to our goal of screening 100 percent of higher risk goods,” said retired Rear Adm. David Stone, TSA administrator, in a statement.