Changes At Airport Security As More Travelers Fly Again

Passengers flying from Indianapolis International Airport might notice the security checkpoint  looks a little different than it did the last time they flew.

In the coming months, many are expected to board a plane for the first time in a year. As the number of leisure travelers steadily increases, officials are implementing security screening changes.

Masks, social distancing and plexiglass are all being implemented at the checkpoint.

Transportation Security Administration, TSA, Security Director for Indiana, Aaron Batts said Indianapolis is one of the first to use new low touch credential authentication technology.

“Put in your driver's license, it won’t even need your boarding pass,” Batts said. “It will pull the information, validate that you have an active reservation, match your face. We will ask you to pull down your mask for a few seconds.”

Batts said TSA officers also have new protocols to reduce contact and may ask people to remove more items from bags.

“It’s requiring a bit more communication and conversation back and forth, but that’s intended to reduce the number of alarms that would require us to open your personal property,” Batts said.

Officials said between the masks and plexiglass, it has been challenging to hear sometimes.

TSA has hired more personnel for an expected surge in travelers in the coming months.

A year of empty airports has allowed TSA to replace some technology including new CT scanners.

“That equipment would allow us to leave liquids, leave laptops and other items in the bag that you currently have to remove,” Batts said.

Officials advise travelers to log on to the TSA website to see what’s allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. The amount of liquid hand sanitizer that passengers can carry onboard has increased to one 12-ounce container per passenger, for now.