TRENTON, N.J. - To ensure the security of airline passengers and the nation’s airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun to implement new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items at airports across the country with the procedures now in place at all New Jersey airports-Atlantic City International Airport, Trenton-Mercer Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The new procedures require travelers to place all personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening and are designed to address the current terror threat by raising the baseline of aviation security. The new procedures were originally announced earlier this year.
“TSA must constantly enhance its security procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats," said TSA’s New Jersey Federal Security Director Thomas Carter. “TSA is committed to raising the baseline for aviation security and we appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the traveling public."
TSA officers will ask travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years.
This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image by uncluttering carry-on bags, thus allowing for a clearer X-ray image for our officers.
So far, the new procedures are fully implemented at Atlantic City and Trenton airports. Atlantic City International Airport was the first in New Jersey to fully implement the new checkpoint procedures. Meanwhile at Newark, the new procedures are currently implemented at just a few security checkpoint lanes as the new process rolls out incrementally, lane-by-lane, until all of the checkpoint lanes at Newark are brought on board in the weeks ahead. The incremental launch allows time for all TSA officers at Newark to receive training in the new security measures.
It is possible that more carry-on bags may experience bag checks, however, TSA has identified ways to improve screening procedures for carry-on bags, with quicker and more targeted measures for officers to clear the bags. So the new process is not expected to alter checkpoint wait times.
Examples of personal electronic items that should be removed from carry-on bags include laptops, tablets, e-readers and cameras.
TSA officers will be stationed in front of the checkpoint X-ray machines to guide passengers through the screening process and recommend how best to arrange their carry-on items for X-ray screening. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.
There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint. Food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags. As always, TSA suggests passengers arrive to the airport two hours prior to their scheduled departure time from the nation’s largest airports to allow adequate time to navigate the ticketing, baggage and security screening processes.
The new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® who are using TSA Pre✓® lanes.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
