TSA’s new CT scanners may pose a problem for some carry-on bags: What to know

(NEXSTAR) – The Transportation Security Administration is in the midst of a costly upgrade to the agency’s screening equipment, bringing computed tomography (CT) technology to checkpoints at nearly 300 airports so far. But the transition could also pose a pricey problem for travelers who aren’t careful with their carry-ons.

The new scanners, which use CT technology, are able to produce 3D images of each scanned bag, allowing TSA officers to rotate the X-ray images to more clearly see the contents of passengers’ carry-on luggage. The scanners also work in conjunction with “sophisticated algorithms” that can automatically flag suspicious items, such as explosives or “other threat items,” according to the TSA.

“The use of CT technology by our officers significantly enhances our ability to detect threats at the checkpoint,” Peter Duffy, a federal security director for the TSA, explained of the upgrades in a press release issued this week.

What does this mean for travelers?

Travelers, too, may notice a change in protocol at TSA screening lanes with CT scanners. Passengers are not currently required to remove laptops, electronic devices or liquids (those abide by the 3-1-1 rule) in these lanes, thereby “improv[ing] the travelers’ experience,” the TSA says. But the agency also acknowledges that some carry-on bags that fit through the........

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