One thing I've wondered about for a while is why when you go to one of the check-in counters at DCA, and give them your luggage to check, they make you take it to an "airside" x-ray checker, instead of placing it on the belt behind the counter, where luggage goes in. I mean, at a great majority of airports I went to in the USA, you just give the person behind the counter your luggage, and they place it on the belt, and it's then scanned and checked by TSA behind the scenes. At DCA, they do it all upfront. So, I'm wondering why they don't have x-ray scanners behind the scenes like at most airports, to make things more convenient for customers (not having to check in, then bring your luggage(s) to the airside x-ray scanners), especially if they have the ability to? When I asked the check-in lady at the counter, she just wrote "911!" - what a detalied answer. Not.

Thanks,

Andrew