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.
Innovations and technology in use now
Two new enhanced security lanes opened last month in Atlanta. Delta paid more than $1 million to bring these two “innovation lanes” to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. The lanes have automated bin systems with five “divestment points.”
Passengers remove liquids, coats, belts and shoes in preparation for the screening process. If they finish before someone ahead of them in line, they don’t have to wait. The system also can remove bins that have been flagged to a safe area, thereby keeping the screening process flowing smoothly. According to Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant, the new lanes are processing 30 percent more customers a day than the conventional lanes.
The COBRA by Analogic uses 3-D imaging
Another technology commonly found in hospitals but also in airports is Analogic’s COBRA machines. These machines provide 3-D images of bags and automatically detect any possible security threats or illegal substances. With the COBRA, laptops and liquids don’t have to be removed from bags, reducing bottlenecks in the lines. The company claims they can screen at least 550 bags per hour.
On May 19, 2016, the company announced its new and latest generation checkpoint CT scanner for screening carry-on items at airports was ready to speed up passenger security lines at airports worldwide. According to a news release by Analogic in September 2006, the TSA ordered five of their COBRA systems, four of which were to be deployed at airport checkpoints in early 2007 for testing and evaluation. The $3.8-million order included installation and onsite support provided by Analogic.
The TSA is left to wonder what kind of new technology they will find. It will need to be faster than the innovation lanes and the COBRA. But it might leave some of us to wonder if “faster means better.” Look at what is being missed with the technology already in place.
