The Transportation Security Administration has now installed state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) scanners at 18 major U.S. airports. The new technology provides improved explosives detection capabilities at the checkpoint, and makes it a little easier for travelers at security.
Passengers traveling through a lane with a CT will be permitted to leave laptops and other electronic devices in their carry-on bags and in the future, the goal is to keep 3-1-1 liquids inside the bag as well.
Like the existing CT technology used for checked baggage, the machines create a clear picture of a bag’s contents allowing the automatic detection of bulk and liquid explosives.
The CT checkpoint units were designed with a smaller footprint than those used for checked bag-gage to account for space constraints and operational needs.
The TSA now has 22 units at 18 airports, including Miami Inter-national, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), Indianapolis International Airport (IND), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS).
Also Logan International Airport (BOS), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), San Diego International Airport (SAN), St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), Tampa International Airport (TPA), and Washington-Dulles International Air-port (IAD).
TSA expects to have more than 145 units installed at airports by the end of fiscal year 2019.
