Air Cargo Humor

The local newspaper asked for comments and suggestions concerning the use of more instrusive pat downs at airport security checkpoints. Suggestions included sending all baggage by express courier or a new baggage only airline for more efficient and faster service, having the military take over security, boycotting the airlines and inviting the Israelis to design our systems. The one that caught my attention was a little extreme, but definitely innovative. Instead of a scanning device, the booth passengers step into would become a detonating device. If explosives were detected, they would be detonated within the confines of the booth. The next announcements broadcast over the PA system would be for cleanup in the security area and the availability of seat on Flight 123.

While a little extreme for use on human beings, perhaps it is not so farfetched for packages. What if all packages or even just those suspected of containing explosives or coming from high risk areas passed through a detonation booth. If the machine detected explosive materials in packages like the ones containing the ink cartridges, the package would be immediately detonated within the confines of the booth. If that process slowed the flow of packages, the suspect package could be removed from the flow and taken to the specially designated detonation booth. If we are going to 100% scanning of packages, would the chance of innocent packages being blown to bits outweigh the cost of the new technology and the increased success in thwarting terrorist attempts? Perhaps the new detonating booth is already on the drawing board and coming to an airport and/or cargo facility near you!

CBP Introduces Revised Agreement

As the C-TPAT program evolves, changes to certain processes and procedures are necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. When applicants for membership in C-TPAT complete the online application in the Security Link Portal, they are required to accept the C-TPAT Agreement to Voluntarily Participate. In compliance with the SAFE Port Act, CBP created a revised agreement for C-TPAT participants. The new agreement updates the most recent version of the agreement to include the changes that have occurred since the introduction of C-TPAT in 2001. Current members are not required to sign the agreement or submit additional information; however, CBP encourages members to review the new agreement because continued membership indicates that the participant concurs with the new agreement.

Some of the revisions to the agreement include:

• Use of the term “Partners” for all parties instead of carriers, importers, brokers, etc.


• Addition of the requirement to cooperate with validation and re-validation process under Partner’s agreement.


• Shortened version of the Partner’s agreement to comply with the program requirements in place of multiple statements in the old version about developing written and verifiable processes followed by the list of major processes.


• Addition of the statement that CBP will conduct validation within one year of the Partner’s certification.


• More CBP responsibilities than in the original agreement


• Provisions for C-TPAT participants to verify information via Status Verification Interface


• Opportunities for C-TPAT Partners to participate in the Mutual Recognition Program

We have included a link to each document so that you can review each and make note of the changes. Click on the appropriate link to view the old and revised versions of the C-TPAT Agreement to Voluntarily Participate:

(Old) C-TPAT Agreement to Voluntarily Participate
(Revised) C-TPAT Agreement to Voluntarily Participate