Self-Service Screening System Trialed by TSA at Harry Reid International Airport
Despite the fact that self-checkout in grocery stores annoys many shoppers and encounters numerous issues, leading several major retailers to abandon it, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is pressing forward with testing a self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. This trial commences later this month.
TSA PreCheck Passengers as the First Test Subjects
According to a TSA news release, TSA PreCheck passengers at LAS will be the first travelers to have the opportunity to utilize this new system starting in mid-March when testing begins. The prototype incorporates a Website video integration monitor that provides passengers with step-by-step instructions to complete the screening process at their own pace.
Automated Exit Doors and Limited Officer Assistance
Following the completion of the required screening process and receiving clearance for travel, automated exit doors will open, allowing passengers to collect their belongings and proceed to their flights. Although there is minimal assistance from Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), they will be available for aid as needed.
Adapting to Increased Passenger Numbers and Demand
The TSA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, has experienced a significant increase in passenger screenings after a notable decline during the early years of the pandemic. As of now, the TSA has screened 143 million people at its checkpoints this year – a figure that is typically low for US air travel. This number represents an increase of 8 million, or 6%, compared to the same period last year. During the six-week holiday travel period from late November 2023 to early January 2024, the TSA screened a record-breaking 106 million passengers, marking an increase of 10% compared to the previous year and 2% compared to the same period in 2019.
Booming Tourist Numbers in Las Vegas
Travelers have been flocking to Las Vegas in record numbers over the last year, with the busiest day ever for TSA screening operations at the city’s airport occurring on October 29, 2023, when the TSA screened an impressive 103,400 passengers. The second busiest day for TSA operations at LAS was on November 5, 2023, when an astonishing 103,285 passengers were screened.
Innovative Screening Solutions Amidst Growing Passenger Numbers
“The number of airline passengers continues to increase year-over-year, necessitating advanced screening solutions that strengthen transportation Website security and streamline the traveling experience,” stated Dimitri Kusnezov, Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security.
