The report from the bipartisan 9/11 Commission pointed to a chilling weak link in air travel safety: the potential for terrorists to place explosives in the cargo holds of passenger planes.

So it was encouraging to see Congress attempt to deal with the issue. Now, under a new law, all cargo carried on passenger planes must face the same screening as our carry-on luggage.

Unfortunately, the Transportation Security Administration apparently has plans of its own. That plan includes allowing known shippers that it certifies as safe to inspect their own cargo. Cargo from these approved shippers would be allowed to be loaded on passenger planes without further inspection — bypassing current government checks, such as X-ray or physical examination by TSA officials.

The airline industry and companies that ship large volumes of cargo don't want the added costs or hassle.

Tough beans.

Safety must take top priority; it shouldn't be trumped by convenience or cost.

The move by the TSA has rightly drawn fire from unions representing pilots and flight attendants — all have strongly supported tougher inspection of cargo on passenger planes. They are rightly concerned about their safety and the safety of their passengers.

The bottom line is — in accordance with the law — cargo on passenger planes must face rigorous government inspection.

That means no free passes or special treatment for preferred shippers sending cargo on passenger planes. The TSA should enforce the law, or be held accountable for failing to do so.