... coming into the U.S. from Canada remains a hot-button issue for major airports. So says Steve Wareham, director of operations for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Responding to coverage in the annual August ‘Canadian Issue’ of AIRPORT BUSINESS magazine, Wareham says he agrees with Jim Facette, president of the Canadian Airports Council, who in an interview (“Inside the Industry”) comments, “It’s a low-hanging fruit issue. A harmonization, a recognition that the screening standards in Canada are equal to that which exists in the United States is important. We’ve costed out a huge savings on the U.S. side that can be achieved by eliminating it. We don’t believe it’s necessary.”
Explains Wareham, “Since 2003 it has been a maddening problem here at MSP, and I think we hold the category of being the #1 most affected airport in the country regarding this requirement. We have been to Washington, met with legislators and the TSA, and suffered a rotating cast of TSA characters who have done little to try to get this fixed besides offering promises that ‘this one should be solvable’.”
A white paper from MSP says the policy results in increased costs for the airport, longer passenger processing times, and more lost luggage … while questioning whether there is actually a corresponding increase in security.
The MSP white paper also points out that the resources and staff connected to the re-screening activity could be better used on real security threats, a point often made by those criticizing Transportation Security Administration policies (think Large Aircraft Security Program).
What’s the solution? Answers Wareham, "We would like to see the TSA take a true risk-based approach to this issue. Does it make sense to dedicate the resources to rescreen Canadian transfer baggage in U.S. hub airports when it has already gone through an IATA-approved five-step screening process that meets international standards for explosives detection? We hope that under new leadership the TSA would truly engage with affected airports, airlines, and Canadian authorities with a goal of reaching a timely equivalency agreement."
Thanks for reading. jfi