Computers to handle TSA carry-on bag tests

“Think of the time – and bins! – that saves”, American’s Chief Operating Officer Robert Isom said in a letter to employees on Tuesday, shared with Reuters, noting that the airline is spending almost $5 million on the new lanes.

Officials estimate that the changes could reduce passenger wait time by as much as 30 percent. The others are Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

CT scans, now used to screen checked bags, can create detailed 3-D images of the contents in carry-on bags to “enhance security effectiveness and efficiency, while improving the customer experience”, said American Airlines Chief Operating Officer Robert Isom. “This collaboration with American Airlines is an important step in enhancing the traveler experience while maintaining effective security”.

American and the TSA will also test computed tomography technology at Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport. “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”.

Automated belts that draw bags into the X-ray machines, returning the bins back to queue after completion of the screening. New automated belts have the ability to separate a bag from the queue if a concern if found, which will avoid backing up the line.

Passengers step up to one of several stations on the security line to load their belongings into bins that are 25 percent larger.

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.

American has said the TSA must add enough staff to handle checkpoints during peak travel times, without relying on airlines to contract extra airport staff. If the test, due to be running in Phoenix by year end, works out, travelers would be able to leave their liquids, gels and laptops in their carry-on bags.

CT technology, now only used at USA airports to screen checked bags, is expected to significantly improve the throughput when added to the screening process in Phoenix.

The announcement comes after the TSA came under fire this spring for overwhelmed security lines that led to three-hour wait times in some cases and thousands of missed flights around the country.

The long-term goal is to use the new systems at all airports in the United States.