If you’re the kind of person who likes to imagine a Jetsons-esque future where everything is made easier at the press of a button, you’re not alone. The Transportation Security Administration says it’s been dreaming up new ways to finally make airport security screening less annoying — but not for seven to 10 more years.
The TSA’s high-tech plans would potentially mean passengers could just waltz, stroll or amble through a security checkpoint without ever removing an item of clothing or even showing an ID, while being scanned electronically for weapons and contraband.
“We see it as a walk-through process,” said Perry Flint of the International Air Transport Association, an airline group, told the New York Post of the TSA’s plans.
Video cameras assessing passengers’ mannerisms will replace metal detectors to single out threats, and screeners will identify passengers through biometric finger scans or eye scans. Weapons will be rooted out by remote machines instead of by metal detectors. And yes, your laptop will finally be able to stay in its bag.
Change is already afoot in the New York City area, with new screening technology plans underway at LaGuardia Airport’s new Central Terminal and a new Terminal A at Newark Airport.
A recent report showed dissatisfaction with the TSA, and the government urged the agency to clean up its act and stop frisking famous people who are probably not terrorists, among other things.
New programs like Pre-Check, which pre-screens passengers and allows them to leave shoes and belts on, and keep liquids and laptops in their bags, are just some of the ways the TSA is trying to change its process.
The great hope of the TSA, however, is new technology.
“These machines are getting smaller and faster, and from a performance standpoint, they are getting better and better and better,” said TSA Associate Administrator Douglas Hofsass. “We are looking for equipment that allows us to have the most effective security in the most efficient way.”
Airlines, TSA seeking advanced security screening devices [New York Post]
More From Consumerist
-
We Complain A Lot But Survey Says Most Americans Think The TSA Is Doing A Good Job
-
Verizon Has Chance To Take Away Super-Cheap Plan, Doesn't Take It
-
When Flying, Maybe Leave Your Grenade-Shaped Lighter At Home
-
TSA Detains Sick, Wheelchair-Bound 12-Year-Old Claiming She Tested Positive For Bomb Residue
-
AT&T Offers Me A Discount On Wireless Service & Then Backs Out… Now What?
Irradiate me for a good time? No thanks…
The great hope of the American public its that the TSA will cease to exist!
I’m still miffed that celebrities are going to be able to cruise through without any issues. Just because they have a familiar face should not excuse them from feeling as uncomfortable as the rest of us. They could be blackmailed into doing illegal crap too I’m sure, and I certainly don’t support anything that makes some people too special to be treated like a normal member of the population. If most of us are going to be inconvenienced, then they should be too.
Yay Ben Popkin for providing the photo!
Except the credit went to Ben Popken, his evil twin.
So, like pre 9/11, when you didn’t even need to show a photo ID to get your boarding pass?
Way back in 1998, they let me get on a plane with an expired Busch Gardens season pass.
Yes, but now they will irradiate you as you walk through security.
Personally, I’d prefer the groping.
So behavioral assessment and unobtrusive scanning. I guess I’ll be flying again in 7-10 years then.
The current random searches and seizures are complete untenable.
This will happen around the time that we all have flying cars.
Why that should be just around the corner in 2015, according to Back to the Future 2.
(testing to see if embedded italics code works in the new comment rev since there’s no longer a PREVIEW function).
How about bold?
Or this link to Consumerist?
Sounds like they are replacing metal detectors. I didn’t really have a problem with them. I do have a problem with the radiation based scanners. Tests are pretty inconclusive as to how bad they are for you.
I wonder why people in technology fields ever bother planning more than 5 years out. Can you imagine, 10 years ago, trying to even plan for the smart phones that exist now? Even something as simple as a standardized power supply. Yeah, good luck planning electronic architecture now for something that won’t even be invented yet. This is exactly why DOD contracts are retarded; 20+year contracts for technology that will be made obsolete before the plans even hit the house floor to be voted on
Maybe I’m just more rational than most, but I don’t find the TSA all that intrusive.
So it’s irrational to object to TSA practices?
Sorry, you’re going to have to actually make an argument here if you want to convince anyone…
Maybe they can play ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ while going through the backscatter machines. People will start dancing through them.
I was thinking more along the lines of “Daisy Dukes” or “Whoomp, There It Is”.
I just thought the classic Egyptian pose will work best as you go through those machines.
Also, “Party Rock” will be most awesome as you go through the standard metal detectors. ** every day we’re shufflin’ **
If you want an all-purpose TSA music, Daft Punk’s “Around the World” will work whether you go through backscatter or metal detector — or heck, even pat-downs!
Then you can finish off a-la-Christopher Walken with Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” as you go through the airport escalators.
See? Even airports can be fun!
“Also, “Party Rock” will be most awesome as you go through the standard metal detectors. ** every day we’re shufflin’ **”
Thumbs up. Maybe we can get the TSA agents to dress up as the Kia Hampsters.
“and screeners will identify passengers through biometric finger scans or eye scans.”
Am I the only one who got concerned when I saw that? How are they thinking of getting people to enroll themselves biometrically?
By that time in the future terrorists may juse use eye implants. Increase the technology, increase the push back. I’ll take a gentle groping over radiation, thanks.