Faster TSA screening: Here are 5 things to know at Jacksonville International Airport

Dan Scanlan, Florida Times-Union
·4 min read
TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz shows the new Checkpoint Property Screening System at Jacksonville International Airport that automatically moves bins for carry-on luggage for passengers (green-lit). It also uses new 3-D technology to look inside bags for forbidden items.
TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz shows the new Checkpoint Property Screening System at Jacksonville International Airport that automatically moves bins for carry-on luggage for passengers (green-lit). It also uses new 3-D technology to look inside bags for forbidden items.

New technology at a reconfigured Transportation Security Administration checkpoint means quicker access to airline gates at Jacksonville International Airport.

Along with reducing the time it takes to get through security at JIA, the new Checkpoint Property Screening System can scan and spot dangerous objects concealed in carry-on luggage, the TSA said.

The first of a planned nine new screening devices was unveiled just before the rush of Labor Day holiday flights that saw about 27,000 people ticketed to fly out Friday through Sunday compared to about 21,000 during last year's three-day period, officials said.

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How does the Checkpoint Property Screening System work?

Only one of the new screening units is currently at JIA, but it lets four passengers feed their baggage into it at a time, TSA Assistant Security Director Chris Baden said. The new unit also keeps the passenger and luggage separate in case something like a weapon or explosive is found, and they don't have to remove electronics or food prior to screening.

So for now, most passengers will go through the usual screening at eight other stations, grabbing and moving the bin with their carry-on items down the line, then unloading at the other end.

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TSA security officer Antoinette Spanitz checks a piece of carry-on luggage that the airport's new Checkpoint Property Screening System's tagged for a closer look. She is looking at a 3-D image of what's inside after the bag was automatically diverted to her station behind glass.
TSA security officer Antoinette Spanitz checks a piece of carry-on luggage that the airport's new Checkpoint Property Screening System's tagged for a closer look. She is looking at a 3-D image of what's inside after the bag was automatically diverted to her station behind glass.

Instead of an X-ray scanner, a new system called computed tomography generates a three-dimensional image of scanned luggage and its contents so TSA officers can look inside without opening them.

The unit also speeds up security screening by feeding the bins used to stash carry-on bags back to the start for reuse, so TSA staff don't have to move them manually.

The other new units are planned for 2023 installation, TSA officials said.

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What are the first impressions?

Using the new system on Friday, passenger Larissa Turjacanin found it a better way to start her flight.

"It was very fast and efficient and I really like it," she said as she grabbed her bag and shoes. "It's a great investment for the airport and makes traveling so much easier."

Passenger Larissa Turjacanin gets her carry-on bag and shoes after it was quickly scanned in the new Checkpoint Property Screening System at JIA.
Passenger Larissa Turjacanin gets her carry-on bag and shoes after it was quickly scanned in the new Checkpoint Property Screening System at JIA.

What is TSA PreCheck?

Enroll with TSA PreCheck for expedited security screening for flights departing from 200-plus U.S. airports. This pre-screening program makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint.

"Of course, if you are in TSA pre-check, you don't have to take out your electronics," TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said. "So sign up. ... If you haven't already, what are you waiting for? One advantage is, who likes to take their shoes off in the check line? I don't think anybody wants to take their shoes off, so sign up."

The $85 fee saves a passenger from five years of removing shoes, belt and jacket and unpacking at a security screening, the TSA said. Fliers can register at tsa.gov/precheck, and there will be a temporary TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center at JIA from Oct. 24 to 29.

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What other reminders do passengers need to know?

• Arrive two hours prior to departure time to check bags and navigate through security.

•  Have a valid ID ready.

• Empty pockets and put cellphones into carry-ons rather than a bin to save time and prevent losing them.

• Leave prohibited items like pocket knives and large tools at home or in checked luggage, and never bring a firearm or ammunition to the security checkpoint.

Here are just some of the prohibited items confiscated in recent weeks from arriving passengers during TSA security checks, including brass knuckles (left), BB and pellet guns, empty grenades and Tasers (center), a hammer, torches, a small baseball bat and knives.
Here are just some of the prohibited items confiscated in recent weeks from arriving passengers during TSA security checks, including brass knuckles (left), BB and pellet guns, empty grenades and Tasers (center), a hammer, torches, a small baseball bat and knives.

Are guns still being seized at a record pace?

Jacksonville is still en route to a possible record number of gun seizures at its security checkpoints by the end of 2022.

As of Aug. 31, 45 guns were confiscated from passengers coming to JIA, Koshetz said. A high of 50 for the year was reported in 2019's gun seizures.

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Some fake guns, plus Tasers, pocketknives, swords, torches and a hammer also were confiscated in recent weeks.

dscanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville International Airport and the TSA unveil 3-D screening