The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has already rolled out several high-profile changes over the past several months. However, it sounds like some of the biggest changes could be yet to come.
The TSA has already changed some longstanding policies and incorporated some new technology in an attempt to make things easier and more efficient for travelers. However, officials have made it pretty clear that it’s not done evolving yet.
Based on some recent comments from experts, as well as some TSA and Department of Homeland Security officials, it sounds like the entire airport security screening process could look very different in the coming years.
Recent TSA Changes
- REAL ID-compliant identification is now required
- All passengers keep their shoes on when going through airport security
- TSA launches TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
- No lithium batteries in checked luggage
- TSA launches Families on the Fly program
TSA Could Become Fully Automatic
During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl indicated that the TSA is planning to embrace more changes and technology. He went on to say that he expects a “fully automated” security screening process in the coming years.
“We really are envisioning a fully frictionless process, one that’s fully automated, that’s tech-enabled, that is as seamless as possible,” Stahl told Fox News Digital recently.
Stahl indicated that United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has prioritized improving the screening process.
“We are going to do everything we can,” he said. “[Secretary Noem] is going to do everything we can to bring in side-by-side partners, the private sector, public sector, airlines, airports and other stakeholders to really create an American travel and transportation security system that every single American is proud of.”
Expert Weighs In
While a “fully automated” airport security system may seem ambitious, one security expert seems to think it’s entirely realistic – at least for some passengers.
Jake Parker, who is the Senior Director of Government Relations of the Security Industry Association (SIA), told me during a recent phone interview that with the advances in security technology, the TSA is headed toward the possibility of a fully automated process.
“I think for some, it could be,” Parker told Men’s Journal during a recent interview. “Yeah, absolutely. I think it’s the way things are headed.”
Over the past several months, the TSA has rolled out some changes that make use of facial recognition technology, including the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which allows passengers to be screened without even presenting their identification card.
While these changes definitely point toward the fully automated process Stahl hinted at, they are currently only available for certain passengers who preemptively opt in to the program.
Given that these processes make use of biometric technology, Parker doesn’t see a reality where it will be applied to every single passenger because he believes there will always be the opportunity for travelers to opt out of this technology.
“I don’t really see that happening,” Parker said. “There’s always gonna be an opt out.”
That said, he did suggest that there could be a time in the future when this sort of frictionless and touchless technology is the default screening option, and travelers would be required to specifically opt out.
Needless to say, with changes in technology, it sounds like a fully automatic screening process may not be too far off.
