BOSTON -- A Bay State congressman has raised a red flag about security at the nation's airports.

Newcenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that Rep. Edward Markey said a huge loophole exists that allows unscreened cargo to be carried aboard passenger aircraft.

Video

Jorge Quiroga Reports On Cargo Screening

Twenty-three months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 22 percent of all air cargo is shipped aboard passenger planes and is not screened for explosives, only checked against shipping lists.

On Friday, Markey blasted President George W. Bush and his administration for not doing more to address the serious national security issue that threatens the safety of Americans.

When arriving at the terminal, passengers know their luggage, carry-ons, even their shoes will be screened by security personnel.

"We walk through metal detectors, we take off our shoes, keys, cell phones, our carry-on bags all must pass through X-ray machines," said Markey.

If the terminal is considered the airport's front door, it is what happens at the airport's back door, through the cargo area, said Markey, that creates a gaping loophole that gives passengers a false sense of security.

"It is commercial cargo, it is unseen and unscreened, it is taken right off these trucks and it is loaded right onto passenger planes right under the feet of passengers who have just taken off their shoes to have them screened," said Markey.

On Friday, Markey asked the Bush administration to reverse its stance against automatic screening of all cargo on passenger planes, from mail to freight. Given the heightened terror alert, Markey said the risks outweigh any added costs.

"It is safe to assume that intelligent, committed terrorists are looking for the loopholes they can use to perpetrate another heinous act against the American public," Markey said.

Markey pointed out the danger in the current practice that allows the unscreened shipping of any package 16 ounces or less, and said the shoe bomb worn by Richard Reid was only 10 ounces -- enough explosives to blow up the 767 aircraft he was traveling on.