The Future of Airport Security – Self-Service Security Checks

It’s no secret that self-checkout has annoyed shoppers to no end in the grocery stores. Despite this, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be testing a self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

The TSA unveiled the country’s first self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport. Starting on Monday, PreCheck passengers can participate in the pilot program designed to modernize checkpoints and give travelers more autonomy. https://t.co/Z8q24ijFcE

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 7, 2024

Traveling during Covid led to a significant drop in travelers passing through the airport, which made security checks relatively simple. However, post Covid restrictions have allowed people to travel once more.

CNN Business adds more on the recent surge in travelers through the airport:

After a sharp drop in flying and screening during the early years of the pandemic, the agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, is dealing with an increase in the number of passenger screenings.

TSA has screened 143 million people at its checkpoints so far this year, which is typically a slow period for US air travel. That’s up 8 million, or 6% from the same period last year. During the six-week holiday travel period from the weekend before Thanksgiving through the end of 2023, it screened 106 million, up 10% from a year earlier, and up 2% from the same time in 2019, ahead of the pandemic.

“The number of airline passengers continues to increase year-over-year, creating a need for innovative screening solutions that enhance transportation security and make traveling more efficient,” said Dimitri Kusnezov, Department of Homeland Security under secretary for science and technology.

In an effort to expedite the security process, TSA will be implementing self-screening lanes.

USA Today adds more on the process of the self-screening security:

The self-service TSA lanes in Las Vegas allow passengers to go through security at their own pace and with minimal engagement with a TSA agent.

Video monitors give step-by-step instructions for completing the screening. Nothing you’re used to doing when going through security has changed. You still need to put your bag through the scanner, empty your pockets and get scanned yourself. There will just be less interaction with screeners.

If a passenger needs help, the video monitors can connect them with a TSA screener who can answer their questions.

After passengers finish the screening and are cleared for travel, automated exit doors open so they can retrieve their bags and walk to their gates.

The self-security lanes are being tested at Harry Reid International Airport, which started on March 6th and will last for roughly six months.

For those who have little faith in the process, only those who have TSA PreCheck are able to use these lanes.

Many people have expressed doubt about the process on X:

I bet the migrants are testing the system for us to make sure it works..🤣

— Richard Molina (@Rchmol5) March 7, 2024

Americans have to be screened while prisoners, gang members & terrorists flood across the border and get paid while doing it.

— Vegas Yankee (@That_Vegas_Guy_) February 27, 2024

It’s not certain whether this system will be implemented into other airports, it all depends