Transportation

Industry wins initial skirmishes in battle over 100% cargo inspection
Security experts agree on two things: A terorist WMD will likely arrive in the U.S. inside a freight container, and the only solution is 100% container inspection; shipping industry says 100% inspection would hobble commerce, and its friends in Congress have so far managed to prevent inserting this requirement into shipping safety legislation
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California trucking association supports port security measures
It was unclear for a while whether California trucking association would support background checks on the more 12,000 drivers who come in and out of the sprawling twin ports of Los Anegeles and Long Beach; the trucking association ow say it is for it
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Shanghai airport to buy 70 Smiths Detection scanners
China, with an eye to the 2008 Olympic Games, is on a buying spree of explosive detection systems of all kinds, and the latest to benefit is Smiths Detection
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Former DHS IG: U.S. only â€œmarginally saferâ€ than it was in 9/11
Former DHS IG, described by colleagues as a “mild-mannered Texas Republican,” says DHS has made he U.S. safer, but only marginally so
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Port worker background checks launched
Facing growing impatience in Congress and the port security community with waiting for TWIC, DHS is launching stop-gap measures which have the Coast Guard coordinating background checks for more than 400,000 port employees; when TWIC comes around, the number of people subject to background checks will double
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Industry: TWIC will cost thousands of jobs
The implementation of new ID cards has some worried that illegal immigrants and individuals with criminal convictions who now hold transportation positions may lose their job
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Security glitch cost Delta more than $1 million
In the world’s busiest airport, a routine security check that went wrong ended up costing Delta more than $1 million
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InfoZen wins large TSA contract
Maryland company wins contract to support TSA transportation worker program
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Registered Traveler program to begin by year's end
After months of testing in airports around the country, Registered Traveler, a program where frequent fliers will be able to pass through security much faster with a biometric ID card will begin at the end of this year
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Shippers fight Sail Only if Scanned legislation
Congress is moving to enact a bill prohibiting the arrival in U.S. ports of ships not scanned for WMD; shippers say the bill will cripple business
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Two convicted in shoulder-mounted missiles scheme
Worries about the vulnerability of commercial aircraft to shoulder-mounted missiles increase, and DHS is examining several defensive technologies; a California court case adds urgency to the search
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Northrop opens Mississippi UAV production center
Unmanned aerial vehicles enjoy growing popularity in the military and law enforcement; four years ago Northrop Grumman broke ground for a Mississippi UAV production facility which was supposed to be 40,000 sq.ft. in size; the facility officially opened two days ago is 100,000 sq.ft.
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U.S. e-Passport project on track
The United States is on schedule to begin using biometric passport by fall deadline; visa-waiver holders be prepared
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U.S. insists on passport requirement for Canada border crossing
Some Republicans call for delay of passport requirement for Canadians, but Bush administration stands firm
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Hutchison pleads for greater U.S. trust
Security experts and legislators do not like the idea that Hutchison personnel, without U.S. custom agent supervision, would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring U.S.-bound cargo for radiation, but a Hutchison leader asks for greater trust
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