New TSA Airport Restrictions Explained
The Transportation Security Administration is ramping up security in the wake of the botched Delta bombing and the Newark airport lockdown. Here's what you need to know about the new rules.
Screening Changes for U.S.-Bound Flights
On Sunday January 3rd, the TSA issued new security directives to all air carriers that operate within U.S. air space. Travelers can now expect to experience increased security measures at airports, especially at international airports with flights bound for the U.S.
- Double Searches: All passengers will be searched twice—once at the main security checkpoint and again at their gates.
- More Random Screenings: Passengers will be subject to additional enhanced screenings, including full body pat-downs, bag searches, full-body scanning, and explosives puffers.
- Countries of Interest: Passengers flying from a country regarded as a "state sponsor of terrorism" or from another "country of interest" (see list below) will be patted down and receive enhanced luggage screenings.
- Suspicious Activity: Airports have also been directed to increase screening the of passengers who seem to be acting in a "suspicious manner," so try not to look too anxious, no matter how long it takes you to get through security.
The State Department lists Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism. Other countries of interest that will face enhanced screening are Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.
Full body scanners—machines that can show hidden contraband but are controversial for leaving too little to the imagination—are being used for flights from Amsterdam to the U.S. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday that the scanners will be introduced in British Airports, and the Star-Ledger reported that airport officials at Newark Liberty expect scanners to arrive early in 2010.
Tips to Speed Through Security
Additional security means longer waits at security checkpoints—both domestically and internationally. To expedite the process, here are some helpful tips from airport and TSA officials:
- "Make sure you leave enough time for your departure. If it's a holiday, leave two hours. If it's a lesser demand time, leave 90 minutes. Better to have more time than less. If you have extra time, go shopping." – Todd F. Payne, spokesman for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
- "Double check your bag for prohibited items. Some people use the same bag for road trips and air travel… we've found knives and even guns. It is not a good idea to take a gun to an airport." – Sari Koshetz, spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration
- “Have your Ziploc bag on top, take your laptop out of your carry-on and put it on top in the gray bin, and that makes things go a lot faster.” – Michael Conway, spokesman for the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport told the New York Times
- "It helps if you have stuff in your pockets to take it all out and put it in your purse or carry on instead of the bin… rather than unloading those various items. This includes your wallet and watch." – Sari Koshetz
- "Talk to your children. Envision the whole trip and pretend it all out so they understand they're going to go through the magnetometer by themselves so they understand what they are going to see." – David Magaña, spokesman for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport told New York Times
- "Wear shoes that are easy to get on and off. Take off your outer coat or baggy sweatshirt." – Sara Koshetz
- "The best way to make sure you are following all the rules is to visit the T.S.A. website before your flight" – T.S.A. employee, Southwest Florida International Airport
New In-Flight Measures
Flight crews are currently banned from giving out information on aircraft flight paths, preventing passengers from knowing the plane's exact proximity over cities and landmarks. The T.S.A. also recently authorized hundreds of pilots to carry firearms under the Federal Flight Deck Officers Program.
Shortly after the botched Delta bombing, U.S. authorities imposed a ban on in-flight movement during the last hour of flights. During this period, passengers were unable to access their luggage or have blankets or personal devices on their lap. Although this ban has since been revoked, pilots still have the ability to impose any such restrictions if they feel it is necessary.
Baggage Restrictions on Flights from Canada
Transport Canada—the Canadian equivalent to the T.S.A.—announced U.S.-bound passengers will not be allowed to bring carry-ons on board, except for exempt items, such as medication and medical devices, laptop computers, and music instruments. Amongst all the commotion, some airlines have waived baggage fees, including:
- Air Canada has waived up to three bags for customers traveling to the U.S.
- US Airways allows up to two bags at no charge
- United Airlines has temporarily waived fees for flights from Amsterdam, Canada, London, Brussels and Frankfurt
- American Airlines has waived fees for customers coming to the U.S. from Canada and Belgium for small bags that were originally intended for carry-on.
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