Key facts
- The TSA is considering allowing ticketless individuals to access airport gates.
- The TSA may allow passengers to carry full water bottles through security.
- The Gateside TSA PreCheck program will be offered at 13 US airports.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering significant changes to US airport security policies, including allowing ticketless individuals to access gates and permitting passengers to carry full water bottles through security. These potential shifts aim to restore pre-9/11 travel practices, leveraging advancements in security technology.
These potential changes to US airport security could significantly alter the passenger experience, making it more convenient for non-travelers to access gates and for travelers to carry liquids, while maintaining security standards through technological advancements.
US airport security is weighing significant policy changes, including allowing individuals without tickets to access airport gates and permitting passengers to carry full water bottles through security. These potential shifts, announced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), aim to restore some travel practices that were altered in the wake of the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago.
The TSA's Gateside TSA PreCheck program will be rolled out at 13 US airports, allowing TSA PreCheck members to apply online for gate access for welcomes, send-offs, or layovers. This initiative is described by the TSA as a way to "bring back the moments that once defined air travel."
Additionally, the TSA is considering reversing a ban on full water bottles, implemented after a 2006 terror plot. Aviation security expert Jeff Price told the BBC that these changes are likely driven by advancements in technology, such as new computed tomography machines that can better detect liquid-based explosives, rather than a decline in security standards. The Trump administration was reportedly looking into allowing passengers with TSA PreCheck to carry water through security.
These potential changes follow the TSA's decision last year to end the two-decade-old requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings. Social media reactions to the announcements have been mixed, with some expressing nostalgia for pre-9/11 travel and others questioning potential safety implications. Price emphasized that passenger safety will not be compromised as long as core security measures and high standards are maintained.
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