Earlier this month, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem introduced a brand new coverage which is able to enable passengers touring by means of home airports to maintain their sneakers on whereas passing by means of safety screening at TSA checkpoints.
“Ending the ‘Footwear-Off’ coverage is the newest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and improve traveler expertise throughout our nation’s airports,” Secretary Noem stated in a statement provided by the TSA.
“We count on this modification will drastically lower passenger wait instances at our TSA checkpoints, resulting in a extra nice and environment friendly passenger expertise. As at all times, safety stays our prime precedence. Due to our cutting-edge technological developments and multi-layered safety method, we’re assured we will implement this modification whereas sustaining the very best safety requirements. This initiative is only one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher within the President’s imaginative and prescient for a brand new Golden Age of American journey.”
However that is likely to be considered one of a number of adjustments coming to the TSA underneath her watch. In a current interview, Noem hinted that the liquids restriction of 100 milliliters – or 3.4 ounces – is into account for change.
“The day I walked within the door, I began questioning the whole lot TSA does,” Noem instructed NewsNation chief Washington correspondent Blake Burman on the inaugural Hill Nation Summit. “I’ll inform you, I imply, the liquids [rule] I’m questioning. So that could be the subsequent huge announcement is what dimension your liquids should be. We’re it.”
Reactions to the information had been combined.
“That is such a straightforward win with such a huge impact on the lives of Individuals, I am shocked nobody did it prior to now,” one person said.
“I actually hate to say this, however Kristy Noem, if she goes by means of with this (and matched with the shoe ban), can have carried out extra to enhance the transportation expertise of most Individuals than the final 5 administrations,” offered another.
“Good. Fairly quickly, I will not should smuggle on my jar of peanut butter in 32 separate sandwiches,” joked a third.
Simply over a yr in the past, a TSA spokesperson suggested the change would not be taking place till 2040 as america prepares to roll out new scanners.
“TSA remains to be deploying Computed Tomography (CT) models which are able to screening bigger sizes of liquids, nonetheless the company won’t be able to alter the present 3-1-1 liquids rule for a while to return, as a result of there are about 2,000 screening lanes in about 430 airports. We’re anticipating that it is probably not till 2040 that we’ve CT models totally deployed throughout the nation and have the aptitude of fixing the requirement throughout the system,” the spokesperson stated.
Noem additionally hinted at a possible change the place vacationers can stroll by means of a screener with their carry-on bag for a extra speedy safety examine.
“TSA is engaged on the know-how that we’ve obtainable to us, if we deploy it appropriately, in order that … for those who’ve acquired a carry-on bag, you have to be in a position simply to stroll by means of their screeners, their scanners, and go proper to your flight,” she stated. “Fingers crossed. We’re engaged on it.”
Associated: Starbucks Calls for Major Change Beginning October 1
