TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS
We would like to bring to your attention some new developments taking place beginning February 1, 2009 designed to increase the security around cargo that will be transported by airfreight on commercial airlines.

Many of you may already be aware that Congress has mandated that the TSA achieve 50% screening of all cargo on passenger aircraft effective February 1, 2009, with 100% screening of all cargo destined for airplanes to be in effect by August, 2010.

We want to make sure you are aware of this requirement and some additional security measures that TSA has mandated be carried out as part of their layered approach to air cargo security. Each airline has the final responsibility for this screening requirement. However, the TSA has developed the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), which would allow shippers and other companies to become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility if specific physical security and other measures meet their criteria. We sent an alert about this back in May, 2008 with more detail. Basically if you qualify and participate as a Certified Cargo Screening Facility, and you meet chain of custody requirements from your facility to the airline receiving area, your cargo would be exempt from any further screening requirement by the airlines. For some of you there may be some compelling reasons to consider becoming such a facility and if you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Dina Duffy at John S. Connor, Inc. by e-mail at dinad@jsconnor.com or by Phone: 703-574-6127.

In order to perform the required screening, the airlines have invested in many types of screening technology that they will be using to carry out their responsibilities. Obviously there is a great cost in the investment of these units, and many airlines have notified us of additional charges that they will be assessing to process cargo that requires screening. Each airline has different sets of charges based on their own internal procedures. We will make every effort to utilize those airlines who have the most reasonable charges and who can provide the best service to transport your cargo where it needs to go. We will pass through any additional charges imposed by the airline at cost as we already do with fuel and other surcharges.

Another new requirement that will be effective February 1st, is that no airfreight cargo can be transported on a passenger air carrier unless we have received our Shipper’s written consent to screening inspection of their cargo. We have notified you over the years that all airfreight cargo is subject to screening, but there is now an additional requirement of obtaining your written consent in order for your cargo to ride on passenger airplanes. We have attached (click here to open) a simple statement that can serve as blanket authorization covering all your future shipments effective after February 1, 2009. Please paste onto your letterhead, complete and scan back the completed form to Dina Duffy at dinad@jsconnor.com. The original should be retained and made available to us if needed should TSA require we produce it, or you could mail the original to Dina Duffy, John S. Connor, Inc. , P.O. Box 16182, Washington Dulles Int’l. Airport, Washington, DC 20041. Please complete and return as soon as possible so there is no interruption in how your cargo is routed after February 1st.

Finally, there is one additional security requirement we will be required to carry out within our new TSA Security Program. Effective February 1st, we will no longer be allowed to give you the specific flight information regarding your shipment until we have confirmation that the flight it is laded on has departed. The TSA feels this is an important additional step to ensure airline safety. We will continue to provide you the information we are allowed to provide as quickly as possible, as before. In the meantime, we and many other companies feel this is creating an unacceptable burden on information flow that in many cases needs to be provided for extremely urgent shipments. We are trying to appeal this with the TSA in the hopes that they rescind this requirement entirely, and/or create some exemptions based on the nature of the shipment that will allow specific flight information to be provided. We will keep you advised. We apologize for any inconvenience and will let you know if any program changes are incorporated by the TSA.

Thanks for your attention. Please feel free to contact Dina Duffy by e-mail at dinad@jsconnor.com or by phone at 703-574-6127 if you have any questions or need additional information.