As important as cheaptravel options such as cheap airplane tickets,discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages arefor most travelers, nothing is more important than ensuring passenger safety.
To that end, the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) is rolling out new security screening directives. The TSA is requiring passengers at all U.S.airports take their tablets and any tech item larger than a cellphone out oftheir carry-ons and place those items in separate bins to go through X-raymachines, similar to the requirement in place nationwide for laptops. This extra step helps security officersobtain a clearer X-ray image.
This new security procedure has been tested at 10 airportsover the last several months. The pilotprogram was developed to address an increase in passengers placing more andmore items into their carry-on bags. Tight packing makes it harder for screeners to properly inspect bagsusing X-ray machines and has resulted in an increasing number of bags beingsent on for additional manual inspection.
TSA believes that it is critical to constantly enhance andadjust its security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats andkeep passengers safe. The agencybelieves that by separating personal electronic items such as laptops, tablets,e-readers, and handheld game consoles for screening, that security officers canbetter focus on resolving alarms and stopping terror threats.
Although some people are concerned that this change willresult in longer security lines, the change could reduce the number of bagsbeing sent for additional screening. Duringthe rollout over the next weeks and months, TSA officers will be positioned infront of checkpoint X-ray machines to direct passengers through the newscreening process.
TSA PreCheck passengers will not be subjected to the newrule. However, there are no exemptionsto the new electronics policy for passengers 75 and older. TSA continues to allow older passengers toleave their shoes and light jackets on during screening.
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