The new Boston Logan airport remote terminal may be more convenient and stress-free for many passengers, but it could be “vulnerable” to security threats and “open another door for terrorists,” former FAA agents tell the Herald.
Massport is launching the remote terminal in Framingham next month — allowing travelers to skip busy lines at Boston Logan International Airport, and instead go through TSA security more than 20 miles away from East Boston.
The passengers in Framingham will then board a “dedicated secure” bus, according to Massport, and arrive at Boston Logan beyond the security checkpoint. Passengers’ checked bags are “transported securely” and delivered directly into the Logan baggage system.
But Brian Sullivan, a retired FAA investigator from Massachusetts, has some security concerns with this new pilot program.
His primary security worry is maintaining the sterile “chain of custody” over passengers and checked bags during the 22-mile drive on public highways.
“Because the shuttle buses drop passengers directly at terminal gates, any compromise along the Mass Pike could introduce a threat directly into the airport secure zone,” Sullivan said.
He noted the country’s current threat posture with Iran, al Qaeda, and ISIS.
“We can’t afford to implement another vulnerable program,” Sullivan added.
One concern about maintaining a sterile environment from Framingham to Logan include luggage and vehicle tampering, he said. Checked baggage could potentially be tampered with, swapped, or intercepted during the long transit between the suburban facility and Boston.
Also, unforeseen highway events — like traffic accidents, vehicle breakdowns, or medical emergencies — introduce unpredictable variables outside of a highly controlled airport environment, Sullivan said.
“This program is focused on passenger convenience and moving people quicker and easier, but that can come in conflict with security issues,” he added.
Bogdan Dzakovic — who was an FAA field agent and Federal Air Marshal before serving as a team leader in the Air Marshal program — said he’s leery about this remote terminal.
“My gut instinct is this could open another door for terrorists,” he said. “The more complicated you make things, the easier you can break into them.”
He was with the FAA’s Red Team, conducting undercover tests on airport security through simulated terrorist attacks.
If Dzakovic was still with the Red Team, he would get a ticket for the remote terminal and see how the system works — looking for any vulnerabilities as people and bags get loaded and transported.
“It’s the same thing terrorists would do, and see where the vulnerabilities are, and how they can exploit it,” he added.
But Massport emphasizes that this remote terminal and transportation to Logan will be safe and secure.
“We appreciate concerns over safety as that is our number one priority at Massport,” a spokesperson for Massport said in a statement. “This program has been fully vetted by the appropriate security agencies, and there will be a multi-layer security system in place when it starts on June 1.
“Not only that, but Landline has been running a similar program in Philadelphia for a number of years without any issue,” the spokesperson added.
The Landline Company, a third-party contractor, is partnering with Massport to help manage this program.
Landline runs a similar bus service between airports in Pennsylvania and Illinois, but this will be the first program in the nation to offer service from a remote terminal directly to an airport.
Relying on a third-party private operator to maintain vehicle security “requires absolute compliance and continuous, strict federal monitoring,” Sullivan said.
During this pilot program, only passengers flying on Delta and JetBlue between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. will be able to use this service — though there are plans to expand access to additional airlines in the future.
“The Remote Terminal pilot program is part of Massport’s broader vision to reimagine the travel experience and make the passenger journey more seamless, connected, and efficient,” Massport CEO Rich Davey said in a statement.
“Passengers in and around Metro West now have a new, low-stress way to reach Boston Logan,” he added. “Imagine arriving at the airport having already checked in and cleared security and then being dropped off just steps from your gate. This is the kind of stress-free process we’re working to make a reality for everyone.”
Tickets for the remote terminal and bus cost $9 each way.
Tickets can be booked from 90 days to 90 minutes before departure. As this is a pilot program with limited seating, Massport urges passengers to book early and allow for some flexibility as the program gets underway.
Each bus is scheduled to arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before flights depart.
Sullivan noted that it’s been almost 25 years since 9/11, and there are still problems with screening passengers.
“We don’t want people to start to get complacent,” he said. “It’s great to see how crews and passengers have been dealing with unruly passengers, and we want them to continue to be alert and aware.”
Original article
Comments