Julian Bray writes: I have worked with a number of airlines during my career and accordingly acquired detailed knowledge in certain areas of aviation security and air cargo handling systems. I've even revised emergency protocols "the book" for a major airline. A number of so called 'security experts' have suddenly crawled out of the woodwork, slicked back the thinning hair, donned demob suits and have been sounding off in the media about the poor state of security surrounding air cargo and freight. The saintly David Learmount , of Flight International, an exception - always worth listening to!
Frankly some of the comments being carried on national and international TV and Radio networks, are just so wrong they should be reported to Trading Standards! For the record: Most suspect packages (including the latest batch, fuelled with PETN Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) enter the world air freight and cargo system through distant remote, often corrupt third world country airports and minor freight hubs.
Cargo security at major western airports has been running on extreme high alert for many years and nothing, repeat nothing, of note has been reported for some 20 years or so. That is fact, each individual cargo handling system has multiple in-built checks and balances at several stages of the process and the fact that the current series of packages were found points up to the fact that the systems, external security measures and ad-hoc close checks are working. It should also be mentioned that our own Royal Mail operates a tracking service, its not just UPS and FedEx! If we are to have a totally secure air cargo system, it will add some 30% in cost to the airfreight bill which we all will end up paying for in terms of dearer goods and services.....
I don't believe throwing UK taxpayer money at these remote flyblown corrupt countries (EVEN IF THEY ARE DROWNING IN CRUDE OIL) will make the slightest difference. Simply shut down easy access, deny landing to all passenger aircraft (clearly the Germans read this blog as they have now denied landing rights to inbound Yeman flights, excellent move) and air freight services from these insecure departure points and force them to road transit export goods to an approved high security air cargo hub in another country. They'll soon get the point, as what remains of their export economy dries up overnight and tax revenues evaporate. Secondly appoint Yeman born Keith Vass MP as life ambassador to the Yeman! Won't help security but it will give us all a welcome break from this Yeman apologist.
Contr!ibutor: Media & Aviation Expert Julian Bray SKYPE: Julian.Bray.UK Landline: 01733 345581 Mobile: 07944 217476 ISDN2 down line ++44(0)1733 555 319 (Broadcasters) G722 & APT-X Dual Codecs GlensoundC5
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