TSA Implements Changes Ahead of Busy Travel Season
December 8th 2011 -
Every holiday travel season, TSA prepares its workforce of 50,000 Transportation Security Officers to ensure a smooth holiday travel experience for travelers. Just in time for the busy holiday travel season, TSA has implemented some major changes.
Children 12 and under are now able to leave their shoes on through security checkpoints. Pat-downs of children 12 and under that would otherwise have been conducted to resolve alarms will be reduced, allowing them to pass through the screener a few times, or trace detection can be used to solve the problem in consultation with parents or guardians.
Full body scanners at airports nationwide are now using new software to further enhance privacy protections by eliminating the image of an actual passenger and replacing it with a generic outline of a person. This technology increases efficiency of the screening process, is safe for all travelers, and passengers are now able to view the same outline that the TSA officer sees.
Laptops are allowed to remain in laptop bags that meet new "checkpoint friendly" guidelines to streamline the security process. Security friendly bags should have a designated laptop-only section, completely unfolds to lie flat on the x-ray belt, with no snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section. Nothing else should be packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.
For more information on TSA traveler requirements visit TSA Traveler Assistant.
For 24/7 access to the most commonly requested TSA information, download MyTSA mobile app for any mobile device.
Or download TSA's Helpful Hints for Holiday Travelers Checklist.
Tags: airport security, etravel, flight changes, flyer information, insider, TSA
