TSA, American Airlines Jointly Testing Innovative Airport Security Technology
July 05 2016 - 11:00AM
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and American
Airlines, through a joint initiative, will install new screening
technology, including automated security screening lanes and
computed tomography (CT) scanners, at select American Airlines hubs
nationwide this fall.
The automated screening lanes incorporate technology and
screening station modifications that enhance security effectiveness
while decreasing the time travelers spend in security screening by
approximately 30 percent. TSA and American Airlines anticipate
deployment of these lanes to Chicago (O’Hare), Dallas/Fort Worth,
Los Angeles and Miami.
American Airlines and TSA also plan to deploy CT technology at a
Phoenix TSA screening checkpoint — as a pilot program set to begin
by the end of 2016.
“Our foremost priority is the security of the traveling public,”
said TSA Administrator Peter V. Neffenger. “To ensure that we
remain up-to-date in an evolving threat environment, TSA continues
to test and deploy state-of-the-art technologies. This
collaboration with American Airlines is an important step in
enhancing the traveler experience while maintaining effective
security.”
“We are proud to be working collaboratively with the TSA to
support next generation screening technology at five of our hubs
this fall,” said American Airlines Chief Operating Officer Robert
Isom. “These state-of-the-art lanes, along with new detection
technology that will be tested in Phoenix, will enhance security
effectiveness and efficiency, while improving the customer
experience. On behalf of our team members who are working to
take care of customers every day, we appreciate the TSA’s
partnership in implementing these new innovative technologies.”
The advanced equipment in the automated lanes offers a number of
unique features designed to improve the screening of travelers by
automating many of the functions currently conducted manually,
allowing passengers to move more swiftly through the checkpoint.
These innovations include:
- Automated belts that draw bags into the X-ray machines,
returning the bins back to queue after completion of the
screening.
- Bags with a potential threat can be directed to a separate area
to allow bins behind it to continue through the system
uninterrupted.
- Property bins that are 25 percent larger than the bins in
regular screening lanes.
- Unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are
attached to each bin to allow for additional accountability of
items as they transit throughout the system.
- Cameras that capture photos of the outside of the bag, which is
linked to the X-ray image of the bag’s contents.
CT technology, currently only used at U.S. airports to screen
checked bags, is expected to significantly improve the throughput
when added to the screening process in Phoenix. 3D CT technology
could make it possible to allow passengers to leave liquids, gels
and aerosols, as well as laptops, in their carry-on bags at all
times. This results in a quicker throughput and less bin use. If
the pilot testing is successful, TSA may deploy CT technology to
other checkpoints nationwide.
In collaboration with vendors, airlines, airports, and across
the counter-terrorism community, TSA will roll out additional
automated checkpoint lanes to improve the screening process as well
as help minimize wait times. TSA’s long-term goals are to
incorporate automated security checkpoint lanes at all U.S.
airports.
“Our responsibility is to keep passengers safe but also moving
through security,” said Neffenger.
TSA Public Affairs
571-227-2829
tsamedia@tsa.dhs.gov
American Airlines Corporate Communications
817-967-1577
mediarelations@aa.com
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