Changes at U.S. Airports

Air travelers across the U.S. have been hit with one change after another lately; most coming in the form of additional fees. Air carriers have taken to charging for everything, it seems, to make up for the high cost of fuel. We are paying to check our bags, for a can of soda or bottled water and sometimes even for a pillow and blanket. While there's not much good news (if any) on fees being reduced, some changes at our airports may make traveling a little less stressful and time-consuming:

Laptop Security Check-in: Beginning, Saturday, August 16, 2008 you might be able to shave a few minutes off your airport check-in. That is because some of the nation's airline travelers will no longer have to remove their laptops at airport checkpoints. Those passengers who use what the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) calls "checkpoint friendly" laptop cases will be able to go through security without opening their cases. The TSA describes these types of cases as those that X-ray machines can easily see through. It is hoped that this policy change will speed up security lines for the more than 2 million passengers who fly across the U.S. daily. Initially, some confusion may be created by the policy change because the TSA is not certifying or approving certain brands or styles that will meet the new requirements. Instead, they will be posting guidelines at checkpoints which should be helpful in educating the flying public.

If you want to speed up your check-in and avoid opening your laptop, the TSA advises checkpoint friendly laptops must:

Source: U.S. Transportation Security Administration

Frequent business travelers say they will gain a "sense of freedom" (and a few extra minutes) by this change in security. It must be noted, however, if (for any reason) a TSA screener cannot get a clear view of a laptop to confirm it is not concealing explosives, the screener can order it to be opened and checked manually.

As the word gets out about new laptop case requirements, manufacturers will, no doubt, rush to meet the demand for these new cases. One company, Briggs and Riley Travelware, is already producing checkpoint friendly cases which have passed TSA testing. Mr. Jim Lahren, Vice-president of marketing for the company said "the company is adding embroidered 'checkpoint-friendly' labels to cases which will be in stores by the end of August."

People without ID's may no longer be considered a security threat. Though most business travelers never leave home without appropriate identification, you could rush out one morning without your wallet. If you do, you will no longer be placed on a database and considered a "possible security threat". You may not know that has been the practice of the Transportation Security Administration in the past; but it has. In fact, the TSA has been storing the information since June of 2008; tracking many people who said they'd forgotten their driver's license or passport at home. So far, the database contains the names of more than 16,500 such people. This database is available to law enforcement agencies, according to the TSA.

Effective immediately, according to TSA chief, Kip Hawley, the agency is changing its policy and will stop keeping records of people that don't' have ID if a screener can determine their identity. FYI: The names of the 16,500 on the database will be expunged immediately. Though Hawley says the TSA has been considering this policy change for a while now, it appears the American Civil Liberties Union may have had a hand in its speedy implementation. The ACLU has been fearful the database includes passengers who have done nothing wrong; yet could face more scrutiny or questioning by authorities investigating terrorism.

For the record, the T.S.A. will continue to keep records of travelers who:

Both of these infractions will still find travelers being questioned by local law enforcement.

Keep Your Shoes On? - LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) has begun testing a pair of machines that will allow passengers to keep their shoes on at security checkpoints. Resembling a large turnstile, the machines scan shoes for explosives as air travelers pass through them. Data collected at LAX will help to determine whether scanners will be used at airports across the country. Tests conducted (using similar equipment) last year at Orlando International Airport provided results which were inconclusive. Whether the machines at LAX are approved or not, at least it appears the TSA is aware that removing one's shoes is both inconvenient and time-consuming.