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It's no secret that airline security is on everybody's mind. The entire tourism industry has been thrown into chaos. Executives are scrambling to concentrate efforts on safer travel, while they try to control the economic impact at the same time.

This exclusive article discusses technologies available to curb threats to the airline. We would like to see government subsidies assisting air carriers with their struggle. Read to find out more.

Due to the most recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., there has been an immediate presence of intensified screening when entering the gate area of our nation's airports. We now have security personnel searching bags routinely, which are producing long wait times. Further, the government wants to impose a re-regulation of security measures for the airlines by taking it over. While it's easy to recognize the "beefed up" security inside the terminal, another major element of concern are commodities that get loaded into the belly of the airplane. We need to carefully understand the current security measures for checked-in baggage and cargo. Let's take a look at both of these and what can be accomplished to enhance security.

Checked-in Baggage

Currently, bags checked in at the ticket counter or with a skycap do not get x-rayed like carry-on bags. At best, some bags are only randomly selected and checked. This increases the airlines' vulnerability for illegal material to be packed into a passenger bag and make its way onto an airplane. What if it was discovered by the airline that a person planted a device in a bag?

Today's situation would involve a number of steps to locate and remove the bag from the plane. An agent would need the passenger's name to obtain the bag tag number from the computer, determine whose control the bag is in and communicate this urgency to the correct person. Then a physical search would be conducted by looking at each bag tag number, identifying the bag, then finally removing the bag from danger. This process takes far too long for any situation where time is very critical. However, there is an alternative.

There is a technology called Radio Frequency Identification or RFID. RFID uses radio waves to communicate between tags and computerized readers. The tags can replace barcodes in asset tracking. It is fully automated, operates at high speed, and functions without line of sight between the tag and reader.

RFID bag tags are manufactured with processor chips which act as "homing devices" so bags can be located in real-time. If there is a bag that must be located or removed from an aircraft, precious minutes are saved because the bag can be pinpointed to its exact location on a computer screen. The data recorded on the tag will also provide positive passenger bag matching, because the processor chip within the tag will hold security information unique to the passenger. One reason it has not been adopted is because the cost averages 25-50 cents per tag; much more expensive than "on-demand" tags used today. One location it is being used is SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport- it is part of a baggage security program.

Cargo

Cargo has improved security in its recent years due to the TWA Flight 800 incident that occurred on July 17, 1996. Although not clearly stated, an unknown source of electricity ignited the fuel in the tanks causing an explosion. Since then, the FAA has imposed regulations that call for strict documentation of organizations that ship with airlines. As a result of the recent terrorists' assaults, the FAA has now mandated to receive shipments only from "known shippers". That means if companies want to ship goods with the airlines, they must be registered and approved by the FAA, otherwise they are not allowed to tender cargo on any airline for transport. Known shippers tendering cargo to the facilities bring it in many shapes. The most popular methods are freight loaded on pallets and Customer Loaded Containers also known as CLC's. Air carriers must carefully and accurately track literally thousands of containers on a daily basis. They must ensure their proper destination, which is not a simple task. What would you do if you knew that on average, many airlines (along with truck companies and steamship lines) cannot accurately account for an estimated 20% of their containers at any time?

Because of the complexities of shipment tracking, it is inevitable that some get lost. When this occurs, it can leave airlines vulnerable to a breach of security. Most of the time, these containers are within airport limits, but it does raise question of the ability for all airlines to manage all of their containers all of the time. These circumstances create potential for unauthorized people to gain access to these containers. There is technology that remedies this problem.

Real Time Locating System or RTLS is a patented technology manufactured in the United States. Using perpetual monitoring of a wireless tag signal, this innovation has the ability to accurately locate inventory assets. Airline containers for example, can be tracked as close as 10 feet and as far away as 1000 feet.

Currently, airlines use these tags to locate their ground support equipment. These specially designed devices can be installed on the containers and house a battery with a 10 year lifespan. As containers are moved within airport limits they are accurately tracked on a screen allowing a local city user to visually locate containers arriving and departing from the airport. This means all containers can be monitored at all times, decreasing the likelihood of these assets escaping control of the carriers.

Airlines will reap additional benefits from Radio Frequency Identification and Real Time Locating Systems. These technologies are primarily designed to provide strong capabilities beyond just a blanket of security. They are intended to assist companies to boost customer relationship management by reducing the likelihood of lost products or goods. They significantly reduce mishandlings, improve punctuality and minimize claims for lost bags or freight.

If we have the technology, why aren't we using it?

Summary

There are many hurdles that need to be overcome to capitalize on the security benefits these new technologies can offer. In order for the airlines to make changes, they need the mediation from organizations such as the FAA, DOT and/or IATA. Frequency (Mhz) regulations also vary from country to country. With their assistance, they can obtain agreement from the airlines to move towards these business solutions. While airlines can make these improvements on their own, moving toward a unified standard will provide a decrease in cost. This is particularly true for RFID bag tags. With common standards, bags can be transferred from airline to airline seamlessly without worrying about mishandlings or even lost bags. Research indicates that airlines need to have these forms of Ubiquitous Commerce (uCommerce) in place within the next two years, based on current customer demands. However due to the recent east coast incident, it only seems this technology should no longer be considered a luxury, but a necessity.

With recent commitments by the President of the United States to provide bail out funding to the battered airline industry, there should also be strong consideration for governmental bodies to provide subsidies so that these technologies can be implemented. It will take several months to produce national and international standards so that all airlines can capitalize on these innovations. Task forces need to be set up between airline executives and officials from national transportation organizations to examine all possible solutions to remedy these security issues. The result will benefit the government, the airlines and the entire flying public.

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