6 things to know about changes to TSA screenings

Travel is changing because of COVID-19—that’s for sure! We’re hearing from so many people who have questions about what it’s going to be like to fly on an airplane again. When people are ready to travel again, a lot of the changes they’ll see will really depend on what measures each airline puts in place. But no matter what airline you’re on, you can certainly expect to see some updated security measures at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) is implementing changes to the security screening process in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we’ve got information about things that are changing in order to keep passengers safe!

1. Keep Possession of Your Boarding Passes.

Instead of handing their boarding pass to a TSA officer at the travel document podium, you’ll now place your boarding pass (whether paper or electronic) on the boarding pass reader yourself. After it’s scanned, you should hold your boarding pass toward the TSA officer to allow the officer to visually inspect it. That way, the TSA Agent doesn’t have to touch your boarding pass, which reduces the potential for cross-contamination.

2. Separate Your Food for X-ray Screening.

You’ll need to bring your carry-on food items in a clear plastic bag, similar to how you’ve been transporting liquids and toiletries. Then, you’ll have to place that bag into a bin. Since food items often trigger an alarm during the screening process, separating the food from the rest of the items in your carry-on bag lessens the likelihood that a TSA officer will need to open the carry-on bag and remove the food items for a closer inspection. Not only does this mean that you’ll get through security more quickly, but this requirement promotes social distancing, reduces the TSA officer's need to touch a person's container of food, and reduces the potential for cross-contamination. TSA Precheck members do not need to remove items from their bags.

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3. New Rules for Hand Sanitizer

You’ll still need to ensure that you do not have any prohibited items in your carry-on bags, such as liquids, gels, or aerosols in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces. However, in response to COVID-19, the TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, of up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags. Passengers will be required to remove the hand sanitizer from the carry-on bag before x-ray screening. If a bag contains a prohibited item, passengers might be directed to return to the divestiture table outside of security with their carry-on bags to remove the item and dispose of it. TSA might also direct the passenger back outside of security to remove items that should have originally been pulled out (such as laptops, liquids, gels, and aerosols, and large electronics) and resubmit their property for x-ray screening. TSA is trying to reduce the number of times officers will need to touch the contents inside a carry-on bag, reducing the potential for cross-contamination.

4. Social Distancing as Part of Screenings

Passengers will start to notice adjustments leading up to the security checkpoint, including an increase in the distance between individuals as they enter the security checkpoint, and visual reminders of appropriate spacing on checkpoint floors. There may also be staggered use of lanes where feasible. Of course, every airport is different, and at larger airports, no two terminals or checkpoints are alike, so be prepared to be adaptable while in line for your screening.

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5. Wearing Masks

TSA officers at airport checkpoints are now protecting their faces by wearing masks, face shields, and eye protection. Travelers are also encouraged to wear masks or other face protection to the checkpoint as well. Please note, however, that you may need to remove your mask to show your face at a checkpoint.

6. Put Your Stuff in Your Bag

Travelers are still being encouraged to remove items such as belts, and to take items from their pockets, like wallets, keys and phones. But now, rather than putting those items into bins, TSA agents will be asking passengers to put those things directly into their carry-on bags instead of into the bins. This had already been happening, in order to help the line move faster at checkpoints, but now, TSA is stepping it up. This will reduce touch-points during the screening process, and keep us all safe.

If you’re planning a trip involving air travel—even a simple point-a to point-b trip, we’d be happy to help you prepare for the new realities of air travel. We do charge fees for booking air tickets through us, but if you’ve had to cancel a reservation recently, we think you’d agree that paying someone else to deal with the airline just might be worth it. So, drop us a line!