TSA Announces New Airport Screening Procedures for Carry-On Bags

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will implement a new, stronger screening procedure for all U.S. airports in the months and weeks ahead.

As new procedures are phased in, TSA officers will begin to ask travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image.

This announcement comes after extensive testing and successful pilots at 10 airports across the U.S.  “It is critical for TSA to constantly enhance and adjust security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats and keep passengers safe. By separating personal electronic items such as laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles for screening, TSA officers can more closely focus on resolving alarms and stopping terror threats,” said TSA Acting Administrator Huban A. Gowadia.

According to the press release, the stronger security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA pre-check who are using TSA pre-check lanes. Travelers who are not TSA pre-check members are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.