TSA looking into new technology for faster airport screenings
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), faced with thousands of complaints from frustrated travelers over long waits in airport security lines, is hoping that new technologies will help to speed up the process of checking people for weapons.
On May 27, according to Digital Journal, Peter Neffenger, the TSA‘s top administrator, spoke with members of the House Homeland Security Committee, saying that passengers will likely continue to experience longer than normal wait times over the summer.
At that time, Neffenger told the committee the TSA was promoting screeners from part-time to full-time, and reassigning hundreds of behavioral detection officers to help on security lines. Neffenger claimed the TSA wasn’t prepared for the increase in passenger numbers and changes to a program that allowed people not signed up for background checks to use expedited security lines, according to the Digital Journal story.
But despite the reasons for the TSA‘s slowness in doing security screening, and a number of issues are being pointed out as being factors in the problem, including a lack of funding and the presidential candidates requiring special security, the TSA is using a “band-aid” approach to fixing the problem.
This week, we learn the agency is looking at finding some magic new technology to fix their problems. According to New Hampshire.com, the TSA requested information from technology companies on screening methods that wouldn’t require that passengers take off their coats, belts and shoes. Apparently, this is one issue that is slowing the lines down.
A “request for information” and a “broad agency announcement” are two ways the agency collects information from private companies before putting out a contract to buy or lease new technology. The TSA has also asked for information on any new device or system that can screen more than 600 carry-on bags an hour while having a higher level of detection for explosives or other banned items.
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