Orlando company benefits from cargo screening

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Did you know that every time you fly, commercial cargo flies with you. Ten years ago none of that cargo went through security screening.

Federal mandates from the 9/11 Commission mean that number of screenings is climbing now and an Orlando company is on the front lines of the fight to keep you safe.

National Cargo Screeners, Inc. (NCSI) is certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pre-screen freight that flies in the cargo holds of commercial, passenger jets.

They use a large and sophisticated x-ray machine to look for things terrorists might try to sneak on a plane.

NCSI's Tom Hullinger says the machine, "looks for any device that looks like an explosive. Really any device that could be construed as a threat to an aircraft."

Ten years ago none of the cargo flown on passenger jets was inspected. Currently, the government says 50 percent of it has to be inspected.

By August 2010, 100 percent must go through TSA certified inspection. But, there are not enough screening companies right now to avoid big time back logs of freight. That could mean rapid expansion for NCSI as the August deadline draws closer.

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On the web:

www.nationalcargoscreeners.com