No chance for August screening deadline, says TSA

THE US has admitted that it will miss the August deadline to screen 100 per cent of bellyhold cargo on international flights.

Gale Rossides, acting director of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), told the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that, at best, 65 per cent would be fully screened and that it would be two years before the 100 per cent target could be reached.

However, she said that they would be able to screen 100 per cent of all bellyhold cargo originating within the US.

The TSA has been telling the US government that the August deadline was not achievable but the issue has become both highly emotional and political both with the US public and its politicians. The TSA has therefore been reluctant to give any delay estimates. The two-year estimate is the longest given so far.