TSA alert: Your carry-on bag may need to be checked after all
TSA is rolling out new three-dimensional, CT scanners for carry-on luggage. However, not all items may fit in them, forcing some passengers to check their bag with the airline. (Source: TSA)
Travelers hoping to skip baggage claim when they fly by packing everything into their carry-on bags may end up having to check their luggage anyway, thanks to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) new security scanners.
Big picture view:
TSA is rolling out CT scanners that promise better screening capabilities and an easier process for flyers passing through security checkpoints. However, the agency also cautions passengers that not all carry-on items may fit through the machines. As a result, flyers will not be allowed to take those bags onto the plane and will have to check them with the airline.
What they're saying:
A spokesperson for the TSA in Florida, Daniel Velez, acknowledged that the 3-D, X-ray scanners do have a smaller opening than the previous devices.
"This design is necessary to accommodate the advanced imaging technology and ensure optimal performance," Velez explained. "TSA officers are available to assist travelers with larger items or special needs to help ensure a smooth screening process."
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Dig deeper:
A report by simpleflying.com found that the size that airlines typically allow for carry-on items - which it measured as 22" x 14" x 9" - will fit in the new scanners. However, it found problems start occurring when passengers show up with bags that are larger than that or expandable ones that push the limit of what is allowed.
What you can do:
Velez offered these tips for flyers to ensure that their bags would fit in the new scanners and prevent them from having to return to the airline’s ticket counter to check the bag.
- Check Your Dimensions: Ensure your carry-on luggage strictly adheres to your airline's size guidelines. Avoid overpacking outer compartments .
- Use the Bins: Unlike older systems where rollaboard bags could go directly onto the belt, every item scanned by a CT machine must be placed flat inside a checkpoint bin .
- Keep Laptops Packed: A major benefit of this technology is that you do not need to unpack laptops, tablets, or travel-sized liquids; they can remain completely inside your bag while going through the CT lane.
The backstory:
The new scanners are not only bad news for some travelers, they do offer advantages for everyone headed through security. The machines can offer agents a three-dimensional view inside luggage, which is expected to reduce the number of bags that will need to be opened and inspected manually.
The machines will allow flyers to leave their laptops and other electronic devices inside their luggage, and travel-sized liquids will not need to be removed. Overall, the scanners are expected to speed up the process for everyone, something anyone who has ever been late to a flight or stuck in a long line would appreciate.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Transportation Security Administration and simpleflying.com. This story was reported from Orlando.