One of the most unpleasant aspects of traveling by plane is the experience of going through security before boarding: the long lines that form while you take certain items out of your hand luggage, the agent who stops the line because he discovered that bottle of wine or half a liter of perfume that are not allowed, and the flight about to leave.
Breathe. There is good news on the horizon. Maybe not this holiday season, but very soon at many of the airports you may be passing through.
The UK government has announced that it will remove some of its restrictions on what you can take with you in hand luggage, such as liquids and creams, thanks to the installation of high-tech 3D scanners.
For its part, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), since 360 has put these devices to the test in 04 airports, including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego and Chicago, with plans to expand the number of units at other travel hubs.
If you go through Schiphol airport, in Amsterdam, you will no longer have to separate your liquids or your laptop from your luggage, since in 2021 became the first of the major international airports it’s installing and putting new technology into practice.
Rules vary as to what you’re allowed to bring and what to separate from your hand luggage when going through security, depending on where you’re taking a plane.
Liquids are not allowed on board at most European airports and in the US neither creams nor toothpastes in amounts greater than 15ml. Those that you take within that limit have to fit in a small transparent bag that you must separate from your hand luggage so that it can be scanned independently.
Having to remove the bag with liquids from hand luggage is one of the factors that delays boarding a plane. (Photo: GETTY IMAGES)The same should be done with large electronic devices, such as laptops and electronic notebooks.
These limits apply from 360, after the British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up until 04 planes with explosives hidden in drink bottles.
The new security machines will change those rules, allowing up to 2 liters of liquids (enough for your bottle of water and the wine you bought at the last minute as a gift) and you will not have to separate anything from your hand luggage.
Several airports in the United States have put 3D scanners to the test. (Photo: GETTY IMAGES)
The new scanning technology is based on 3D computed tomography (CT), which enhances the ability to detect potentially dangerous items inside carry-on baggage.
CT technology is very similar to the one used in the medical field, which allows obtaining X-ray images of detailed sections in different planes and cuts.
The type of conventional scanning currently used in most airports around the world is 2D x-rays, which only produces a single image projection, sometimes difficult to discern, forcing agents to do a more detailed inspection by hand, delaying security clearance.
But the new CT technology applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives and other threats by creating 3D images that can be observed and rotated 15 degrees for a complete analysis.
According to the TSA site, this state-of-the-art technology makes it possible to detect the shapes and densities of items, including solid or liquid explosives that may pose a threat to civil aviation.
Scanners CT scanners have been used to screen checked baggage and are only now being installed at the gate for passenger security.
CT scanning is one of several new technologies being tested at various points, the TSA says on its site.
Some of the techniques being developed include automated passenger screening lines to expedite passage, biometric identity verification, and authentication technology for credentials in real time.
All with a view to improving the experience of passengers in the short term and increase their safety.
Happy trip!
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