Congress passes bill closing cargo security loophole

Passengers are screened, their carry-on bags are screened, and their checked luggage is screened, but there’s still one aspect of commercial airline travel that’s a security risk: cargo. Congress last week approved legislation designed to close that loophole, and the White House has said it will sign it into law. The legislation requires that within three years, airlines must develop systems for inspecting all cargo shipped in the hold of airliners. The cargo wouldn’t have to be x-rayed, but must be subjected to some form of inspection, like explosive-sniffing dogs or other methods.