Since the new baggage handling system was activated last December, it has only rarely identified a bag that had to be sent to the Stage IV baggage inspection room for manual inspection, according to Foster. One time, the operators discovered a passenger had packed a number of harmless industrial fuses in among his clothing.
"They had the mass and shape that triggered the system," Foster says. "But there were properties missing so the system couldn't say exactly what was inside the bag." That's when the operator, following FAA regulations, decides to send a bag to Stage IV to be visually inspected.
Denari and Elizondo both admit that it is difficult to measure ROI on a system like this. After all, says Denari, how do you count the benefits of all the planes that do not fall out of the sky, thanks to the fact that terrorists decide to bypass SFIA?
"But, in about a year, the airlines will be able to identify the ROI in terms of the reduction in contract security personnel required to perform manual functions," he says. "Once we prove this works, we believe the air carriers will become vocal supporters of automated systems like this."
"I believe this type of system would have detected the bomb planted on Pan Am 103," Foster says. "That's why we're so proud that we're the only airport in the world today that has a totally integrated baggage inspection system. We just want the passengers to know that they're safe."
Once they know that, though, they'll next be asking where their bags are. The nice part about the system is, it will eventually be able to tell them that too-with absolute accuracy.
