TSA Trials Self-Screening Checkpoint in Las Vegas
Joe Cortez March 07, 2024
The Transportation Security Administration announced they work with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to open a prototype self-service screening system at the airport’s TSA Innovation Checkpoint.
New Screening Could Improve Screening, Reduce Need for Secondary Screening
The self-service screening station was developed by Homeland Security and the TSA at the administration’s systems Integration facility in Arlington, Virginia. After extensive trials in a controlled setting, the new system will be tested on the flying public starting in mid-March.
When travelers approach the new checkpoint, video screens installed will guide them through the appropriate steps. Because the system is automated, travelers will be allowed to move at a pace they are comfortable with. If there is an on-person alarm, flyers will be given information about what came up and how to resolve the incident themselves.
At the checkpoint, the role of transportation security officers is to supervise users to ensure they are following appropriate security protocols. Although secondary screening and patdowns may still happen, the goal is to create a completely self-sufficient screening experience.
After clearing, TSA agents will collect information from flyers on system performance, design, and other factors to improve the experience. The feedback from live trials will ultimately inform future improvements.
“We are constantly looking at innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience, while also improving security,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. “This self-service prototype allows our trusted travelers to complete the screening process at their own pace. Testing at the Innovation Checkpoint in Las Vegas gives us an opportunity to collect valuable user data and insights, and explore opportunities to apply parts of the prototype to other airport security checkpoints.”
While Las Vegas will get the first self-service screening lane, it isn’t the only one currently in the works. The TSA says they will also test other prototypes in development in the laboratory before determining if they could be ready for future public trials.
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Sounds like the FAA letting Boeing do there own safety oversights.
Why don't they start with automated gates for the ID check (combined with facial recognition).?Not really sure I understand what this setup is, other than while maybe reducing staffing costs it's not going to do anything for capacity/throughput.
Thank you for your unjustified pessimism. You admit you don't understand the details of this "setup," yet, you think you know enough to conclude it's not going to do anything for "capacity/throughput." Really? Give us a break.
I wonder if these will be as easy to cheat on as the self-checkout kiosks that are deployed at retail outlets everywhere. If you're depending on an individual's honesty for part of the process, that will be a hard fail.
Although from the sounds of it, they'll be testing these on tsapre, so they won't be getting any hard feedback until they try to use it on the masses...
Of all places. . . . .
I don't get it. What's the point in the security theater without the actors? The music was never there in the first place, but at least there was some action: thievery, man (and woman) handling, fresh socks smell, etc. And now instead of this human touch we'll get soulless robots?!? This country is doomed...