Since summer is expected to bring an increase in domestic travel within the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration, (TSA) announced several changes to airport screening policies on Thursday morning.
“In the interest of TSA frontline workers and traveler health, TSA is committed to making prudent changes to our screening processes to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. “We continue to evaluate our security measures with an eye towards making smart, timely decisions benefiting health and safety, as well as the traveler experience.”
TSA agents will no longer ask for your boarding passes. Passengers will be asked to put their passes on the readers themselves. There was no mention if they will still look at your passport or driver’s license, but its safe to assume that at the very least you will have to hold it up for them to take a look at it.
One of the things that immediately stood out to me is that although passengers are encouraged to wear masks, it is not a requirement. That being said, please keep in mind that most airlines are requiring masks during your flight, so you still need to have one with you.
It was also suggest that passengers place items that need to be scanned towards the top of their carry on bags in advance. This includes lab tops, large electronics, phones, keys & wallets. Don’t forget about your belt as well! If you fail to take them out of the bag in a timely fashion, you run the risk of being asked to go to the back of the line. They are trying to avoid the lines backing up from people taking too much time to unpack the required items.
It was not mentioned whether areas would be clearly marked on the floors for 6 ft. distance in lines, but TSA encouraged passengers to practice social distancing in the hopes of avoiding contact with others.
As far as liquids, TSA is relaxing restrictions on anything larger than 3.4 ounces, so that passengers can carry hand sanitizer with them. Hand sanitizers can be as large as 12 ounces in a carry on bag. You will have to remove the bottle from the bag before it’s sent through for screening.
TSA is also requesting that passengers bringing food as a carry-on item, to pack it in a clear plastic bag and send it through for screening in a bin. This reduces the need for the TSA agent to look inside of the bag & touch the person’s food. Clearly it will be a good idea have some extra zip locks bags with you.
Airline passengers who have not flown since the start of the coronavirus will notice other changes that have already been put in place, such as reduced security lane usage, some TSA agents wearing eye protection, plastic shields & gloves at document checking podiums. TSA has also increased routine disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.
The process could vary a bit depending on the airport. Certain airports for example will be taking passenger’s temperatures. Travelers should check with the airport and airlines before their flight. Even though there are fewer passengers, you should still arrive early to get through check-in and TSA. It is also possible that the airlines will check your temperature at the gate prior to boarding. Any individual with a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be denied boarding.
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