WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. government has known for decades that terrorists could sneak bombs onto airplanes.
Yet it failed to close obvious security gaps amid pressure from shipping companies fearful of adding costs and delivery delays.
The scare from last month's failed mail bomb plot is prompting officials in Washington and around the world to rethink air cargo security as al-Qaida's attack was thwarted by a tip from Saudi intelligence, not cargo screening.
The Obama administration has banned freight out of Yemen and Somalia, and restricted shipments of printers and toners. Still, the overall cargo security rules are unchanged.
Expensive lobbying campaigns by the multibillion-dollar freight industry have helped kill past efforts to impose tough rules.
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