In anticipation of the busiest summer travel season since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has expanded digital screening operations to assist air travel volume expected to meet or exceed levels not seen since 2019. The agency hopes these enhanced screening operations and the deployment of nearly 50,000 TSA agents will not only reduce security wait times for travelers but also minimize the spread of the coronavirus, particularly as Americans have started flying again, starting well before the Memorial Day Holiday. Statistics in mid-June showed that more than 2 million persons were being screened at TSA checkpoints in the US on a daily basis and these numbers are expected to continue rising through the Fourth of July and Labor Day Holidays.
“Daily passenger volumes at TSA checkpoints show that people are traveling again, and TSA is ready for their return,” Administrator David Pekoske said in a press statement on May 10. “Our airport security checkpoints include 47,500 highly-trained security professionals and new technologies that enhance security and reduce physical contact,” he said. In a proactive response to assumed passenger traffic, the agency has reportedly quadrupled the number of TSA employees who are ready and able to fill in at airports where long lines arise, including nearly 1,000 employees who have apparently volunteered to be sent to other airports as needed, according to reporting by the Associated Press
Most recently, the TSA deployed two new technologies at a number of airport screening checkpoints to reduce the amount of physical contact between TSA agents, passengers and their carry-on luggage. These include Computed Tomography units allowing for digital verification of carry-on bags. They will eventually be unveiled at more than 160 airports nationwide. One of the first was my home airport, Raleigh-Durham International, and I had an opportunity to see this technology in action. (More on that shortly.) The units enable TSA officers to review a 3D image of a passenger’s bags, reducing the need to physically search the bag’s contents. The system applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives by creating a 3D image that can be viewed and rotated for thorough visual image analysis by a TSA officer. The new technology creates such a clear image of a bag’s contents and the system can automatically detect explosives, including liquids, by shooting hundreds of images with a spinning x-ray camera.
“The new CT units were initially installed at only five airports in the US. These included Billings Logan International Airport in Montana, Albany International Airport in New York, Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina,” the TSA confirmed in a recent press release. The agency also confirmed that additional CT scanners will be installed this summer at designated checkpoints throughout the country.
I was screened with the brand new CT technology shortly after the units were installed at RDU, while apparently, a number of “kinks” were still being worked out of the new system. Heading to my volunteer assignment on the concourse of Terminal 2 on a recent afternoon, I noticed the new machines immediately as well as the uncharacteristically long lines at the checkpoint. Eventually, I reached the front of the queue and placed my phone and keys into the new bins and passed through the detector. The TSA agent asked me to wait while he studied the 3D image of my bin contents on his screen. I watched as he rotated the image both vertically and horizontally and was amazed that he was also able to expand it with much the same results we achieve when using our fingers to expand screens on our tablets and smart phones. I asked him what the problem was but received no response and he then picked up the bin and ran it through the unit for the second time. Still not satisfied with the results, he called his supervisor over who inquired, “Where’s the knife?” The screen was showing what appeared to be a knife of some sort but the only items scanned were my phone and my keys. After a short time, the supervisor sent me on my way but I couldn’t help thinking that what they saw was perhaps a ghost image from a prior scan resembling a knife. At any rate, I haven’t encountered any additional problems with the new CT units and haven’t noticed any unusually long lines at our departure checkpoints either.
“TSA remains committed to getting the best technology to enhance security and improve the screening experience. Our officers’ use of CT technology substantially improves our threat detection capability at the checkpoint,” said TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York Bart Johnson. “Previously, our screening technology for carry-on bags used 2D images. The CT technology applies advanced algorithms for the detection of explosives, including liquid explosives and other threat items.” Additionally, TSA deployed Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) at more than 175 airports, more than half of which are modified and equipped to digitally verify a passenger’s boarding pass is consistent with the information listed on their driver’s license or passport.
In other news, American Airlines customers with TSA PreCheck can now breeze through the airport with just their phone and their face. It's all due to a just- unveiled collaboration with TSA and American to test mobile identification. Starting Thursday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), American Airlines AAdvantage members who're enrolled in TSA PreCheck may choose to use their AA Mobile ID at select TSA PreCheck checkpoints to have their identity verified. The experience is now available at every TSA PreCheck location at DFW, with plans to deploy at select TSA PreCheck checkpoints at Miami International Airport (MIA), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) and more later this year. Creating and storing the American Airlines Mobile ID is simple. Before travel, American customers with TSA PreCheck who choose to participate in this program need to download the Airside Digital Identity App on an iOS or Android device, take a photo of their face, scan their driver’s license or passport with the app and then enter their American Airlines AAdvantage number. The app then verifies the customers’ information using mobile ID technology powered by Thales to compare against each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles records or the passport’s embedded NFC chip. It securely stores the customer’s American Airlines Mobile ID on their mobile device until they choose where and when to share it.
As they go through security, customers simply present a QR code on their phone and consent to share their American Airlines Mobile ID with TSA. After sharing their Mobile ID, customers look into a camera at the TSA PreCheck checkpoint. TSA’s computer system then matches the customer’s encrypted image against their American Airlines Mobile ID. The entire process at the airport typically takes less than five seconds. Once verified, TSA erases the encrypted digital ID from its checkpoint readers and customers retain their digital ID on their device until they're ready to use it at another waypoint, such as an airport lounge.
Technology promises to improve our experience at airports, exchanging stress for convenience and saved time while moving the travel industry further along the path to a truly seamless passenger experience.
Until next time...safe travels.
Again, an informative post. It’s amazing what technology can offer. Thank you for sharing so many of these innovations. Aren’t we all proud RDU was chosen in this case and you were a part of it! ❤️
Very interesting use of technology - let us see how it is adopted. Meanwhile, can you return that ceramic knife I lent to you ...?
Looks like traveling through security is getting faster and more secure which is wonderful.