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New 3D security scanners at Juneau’s airport lets travelers leave laptops in carry-on luggage
- Mark Sabbatini
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Computed tomography (CT) X-ray machines create rotatable images that TSA officers can examine without disrupting people’s belongings
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
Laptops and tiny shampoo bottles can now remain in carry-on bags at the airport security checkpoint. But bringing a bottle of water through is still out.
The two screening lanes at Juneau International Airport now have computed tomography (CT) X-ray machines that provide security officers with a manipulable 3D image scan of belongings passengers load onto the plastic totes that are pushed through.
More than 1,150 CT scanners have been installed at nearly 300 U.S. airports as of this month, including Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Eric Guthier, a TSA spokesperson, said during a visit to Juneau on Monday the machines at JIA were installed in April.
Guthier said the X-ray device in the CT scanners is similar to equipment used in hospitals.
"The camera spins very, very fast, takes lots of pictures, and then when the officer is reviewing the bag for prohibited items they can actually rotate the image to see what's underneath something," he said. "So with the older-style machines if somebody looks and says, ‘Hey, I think there might be something there, but I can't quite tell. We're going to have to open the bag and look.’ With this, you can rotate the image and look."
That means people can typically leave items such as laptops computers and travel-size containers with liquids in their carry-on baggage, rather than taking them out and placing them into separate bins that pass through the machine, Guthier said. The bins themselves are also new and intended to be large enough for people to put all of their belongings into it, simplying the identifiction process for screeners and the recollection of items for travelers.
A TSA press release issued Monday about the new machines at Juneau’s airport notes they "have a slightly smaller entry tunnel, and not all larger carry-on bags will fit into the units. TSA recommends that large carry-on items be checked with the airline."
"TSA officials also encourage travelers to get to the airport early and save time by placing items from pockets such as keys, cell phones, loose change, etc. into their carry-on bags instead of into bins to help ensure there are no items left behind in bins," the release notes. "Doing so also helps to speed the screening process."
Amanda O’Dell, a transportation security officer at the airport for the past two years, said Monday the scanned 3D images she sees are the biggest difference she’s noticed with the new machines.
"You actually see everything in more detail versus you're just looking at blobs that have to get pulled to get checked," she said.
O’Dell said there’s no clear difference in the speed at which a crowd of travelers make it through screening, since reviewing the 3D images can take longer than the previous machines. But people are definitely noticing the lack of need to remove items from bags.
"They love that," she said.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
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