TSA Installing Checkpoint CT Scanners
Aug 2, 2018, 8:04 am
#91
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Dulles is on the list you quoted, in the earlier paragraph.
I've never cleared security at DCA (only transited it as a connection point on US Airways) but given how tight the airport is on the sterile side, spacing might be a concern.
Between that and budget ([[url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/07/tsa-might-let-you-keep-everything-in-carry-on-bags-in-five-years-or-so/]article on that]), TSA has budget for 15 scanners in 2018 and 240 scanners in 2020, with about 2,000 scanners throughout the US at TSA checkpoints. They will probably focus on certain lanes at the category X airports and the Pre lanes at some more regional airports - but that's just a guess, they could have different deployment priorities (like covering all lanes at category X airports, or putting them in the non-Pre lanes to try to apply a stricter/better screening standard to the passengers that are not trusted travelers).
I've never cleared security at DCA (only transited it as a connection point on US Airways) but given how tight the airport is on the sterile side, spacing might be a concern.
Between that and budget ([[url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/07/tsa-might-let-you-keep-everything-in-carry-on-bags-in-five-years-or-so/]article on that]), TSA has budget for 15 scanners in 2018 and 240 scanners in 2020, with about 2,000 scanners throughout the US at TSA checkpoints. They will probably focus on certain lanes at the category X airports and the Pre lanes at some more regional airports - but that's just a guess, they could have different deployment priorities (like covering all lanes at category X airports, or putting them in the non-Pre lanes to try to apply a stricter/better screening standard to the passengers that are not trusted travelers).
Aug 2, 2018, 8:07 am
#92
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
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Posts: 1,079
The other part is that the allowances in the Pre lane (laptops and tablets stay in bag, electronics larger than a cell phone stay in bag) make it harder to have a clear image on the x-ray when someone packs a lot of electronics or other things that are dense from an imaging perspective.
Not sure what the TSA's real priority is here (selling Pre by making even better experience, or putting them in non-Pre lanes for improved throughput and security) and I'm not sure in the trial airports what lanes currently have the CT scanners either.
Aug 2, 2018, 11:46 am
#93
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
They're trying to upsell people to Pre so they can have higher throughput = hire fewer screeners. Putting them in the Pre lanes provides more of a carrot for voluntarily getting a trusted traveler number.
The other part is that the allowances in the Pre lane (laptops and tablets stay in bag, electronics larger than a cell phone stay in bag) make it harder to have a clear image on the x-ray when someone packs a lot of electronics or other things that are dense from an imaging perspective.
Not sure what the TSA's real priority is here (selling Pre by making even better experience, or putting them in non-Pre lanes for improved throughput and security) and I'm not sure in the trial airports what lanes currently have the CT scanners either.
The other part is that the allowances in the Pre lane (laptops and tablets stay in bag, electronics larger than a cell phone stay in bag) make it harder to have a clear image on the x-ray when someone packs a lot of electronics or other things that are dense from an imaging perspective.
Not sure what the TSA's real priority is here (selling Pre by making even better experience, or putting them in non-Pre lanes for improved throughput and security) and I'm not sure in the trial airports what lanes currently have the CT scanners either.
It used to be that about every 6 months TSA would put out a press release updating the number of people enrolled in the program; now it appears to be a yearly update, reaching 6 million+ in July of this year (from 5 million last July), which info I could find only on the TSA website - no press releases.
Aug 2, 2018, 12:32 pm
#94
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Aug 11, 2018, 7:43 am
#96
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Time will tell.
Aug 26, 2018, 5:33 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Click to read the entire thread.
In case you don't have a twitter account, the OP's response to a question was:
The lines was definitely not going any faster. I’m sure the TSO behind the scanner was pulling bags bc they don’t want to miss anything. Yet it delayed the line which only had about a 12+/- passengers. It took over 30+ mins to get through the line.
Rest assured, our officers make every effort to screen all passengers and bags effectively and efficiently. We appreciate your feedback and have shared your concerns with our team at BWI.
Aug 26, 2018, 10:30 am
#100
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Aug 27, 2018, 6:17 am
#102
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
Maybe this will answer your question:
https://twitter.com/frizz_curly/stat...18611321069573
Click to read the entire thread.
In case you don't have a twitter account, the OP's response to a question was:
In case you are one of the lucky ones blocked by @ASKTSA, their response was:
https://twitter.com/frizz_curly/stat...18611321069573
Click to read the entire thread.
In case you don't have a twitter account, the OP's response to a question was:
In case you are one of the lucky ones blocked by @ASKTSA, their response was:
1. Initial familiarization and training on the tech.
2. Consistent training and hands on practice to become more familiar and understand the tools available better.
3. Mastery of the toolkits and ability to apply image interpretation consistently.
4. Mastery of the system as a whole.
5. Increased efficiency with consistent use and training.
These periods vary based upon the complexity of the equipment, and the way it is used. Those time frames in the past have been 1-2 weeks, all the way up to over a month before the workforce is at efficient levels. This is the same with most jobs - using the equipment builds muscle memory, and increased efficiency in interpretation based upon those experiences. I anticipate that as TSOs become more familiar with the system, the speed of processing will increase.
Aug 27, 2018, 6:33 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,090
One challenge is that this program is in its infancy. The operators are still building their operational thought process for these machines. As an organization, we have experience with the technology, but most line TSOs have not seen the 3D system or are experienced at using it. Usually when we implement new tech, there is an adjustment period, while the workforce goes through the following steps:
1. Initial familiarization and training on the tech.
2. Consistent training and hands on practice to become more familiar and understand the tools available better.
3. Mastery of the toolkits and ability to apply image interpretation consistently.
4. Mastery of the system as a whole.
5. Increased efficiency with consistent use and training.
These periods vary based upon the complexity of the equipment, and the way it is used. Those time frames in the past have been 1-2 weeks, all the way up to over a month before the workforce is at efficient levels. This is the same with most jobs - using the equipment builds muscle memory, and increased efficiency in interpretation based upon those experiences. I anticipate that as TSOs become more familiar with the system, the speed of processing will increase.
1. Initial familiarization and training on the tech.
2. Consistent training and hands on practice to become more familiar and understand the tools available better.
3. Mastery of the toolkits and ability to apply image interpretation consistently.
4. Mastery of the system as a whole.
5. Increased efficiency with consistent use and training.
These periods vary based upon the complexity of the equipment, and the way it is used. Those time frames in the past have been 1-2 weeks, all the way up to over a month before the workforce is at efficient levels. This is the same with most jobs - using the equipment builds muscle memory, and increased efficiency in interpretation based upon those experiences. I anticipate that as TSOs become more familiar with the system, the speed of processing will increase.
The response above reads like something prepared by a PR department in an attempt to deflect anticipated public outrage. Does TSA already know that the CT scanners are much slower than traditional xray systems?
Aug 27, 2018, 6:53 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
Is all training conducted at live checkpoints during regular operations?
The response above reads like something prepared by a PR department in an attempt to deflect anticipated public outrage. Does TSA already know that the CT scanners are much slower than traditional xray systems?
The response above reads like something prepared by a PR department in an attempt to deflect anticipated public outrage. Does TSA already know that the CT scanners are much slower than traditional xray systems?
Aug 27, 2018, 8:52 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,090
The above is merely a commentary based upon what I have seen almost every single time the organization implements a new process, procedure or tech. There is a normal learning curve with all new things, and TSA is no different than anywhere else. There were some challenges when the decision to remove all electronics larger than 4 X 6 in standard lanes rolled out - at this time, we have actually seen an increase in efficiency (at least everywhere I have seen it). I anticipate that putting in new tech that we have not used, there will be some adjustments and a normal learning curve.