Air Cargo Security ‘23: Wet Noses & Four Paws
Ron Brawner predicts 2023 will see an increase in canine security, specifically for air cargo. Brawner, with over 17 years of experience in canine security training, is the founder of Brawner Group K-9 Services. In 2018, he worked directly with TSA to create the Third Party K9 Program (3PK9). This program permitted third-party explosive detection canines as a screening option for TSA cargo. It also required explosive screening for all cargo on passenger/cargo aircraft.
Brawner believes the demand for canine security will increase because Canines can screen large quantities of cargo effectively and efficiently within TSA standards. With the 2018 implemented requirement that 100% of aircraft cargo be screened, there is a new need for a mass screening tool. Screening methods like explosive trace detectors (ETD) and X-rays are not meant to handle massive amounts of cargo, they were intended for suspicious and select items. Canines are thinking and functional animals that can screen a 10,000 sq. ft. building full of cargo pallets in 80 minutes, which would take other traditional methods 2-3 weeks to complete. In 2023, the number of teams the government estimates will be necessary to fulfill TSA’s screening requirements is between 1500-3000. Right now, there are about 800 eligible teams.
“Cargo is expected to continue to bolster the airline industry’s recovery from the impact of COVID. My expectation is that the need for these specialized teams of dogs and handlers will skyrocket in 2023 & beyond.” – Ron Brawner
Obston, Andrea. “Air Cargo Security in 2023 Will Be Wearing Fur Coats.” Customized Logistics & Delivery Magazine, 2022, pp. 32–33.
