Jazmin Li
Airport security is a complex and evolving system that involves multiple agencies and procedures to ensure the safety of travellers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a key organisation in this regard, conducting security screenings of passengers, baggage, and cargo at airports in the United States. TSA officers utilise advanced imaging technology and metal detectors to identify potential threats, including weapons and explosives. They collaborate with intelligence and law enforcement to adapt their security measures to address evolving threats. Additionally, the TSA offers expedited screening programs, such as TSA PreCheck, to enhance the travel experience for eligible low-risk passengers. Beyond the TSA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents also play a role in ensuring border security and conducting searches. Travellers have certain rights and protections during security screenings, such as protections against discrimination, and can file complaints or seek assistance through various channels if they encounter issues during the airport security process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats. |
| Techniques | X-ray machines, metal detectors, explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment, random physical searches, canine teams, biometric access control systems, CCTV, etc. |
| Items Allowed | Medications, baby formula, food, breast milk, juice, medical equipment, electrical items (smaller than A5 size), etc. |
| Prohibited Items | Liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 oz or 100 ml; weapons, explosives, and other threats. |
| Contact | TSA Customer Service: live assistance, phone, email, lost and found, TSA Cares for travelers with disabilities or medical conditions. |
| Rights | Passengers have the right to decline Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening in favor of physical screening. |
| Screening Process | Standard screening requires removing all items for X-ray screening. TSA PreCheck® allows expedited screening without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets. |
| Complaints | Passengers can submit complaints, file claims for lost or damaged items, and report civil rights violations. |
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What You'll Learn
Lost and found items
If you have lost an item at the airport, there are several steps you can take to try and locate it. The first step is to identify where you believe you lost the item. If you lost the item at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint or if it was missing from checked baggage, you can contact the TSA Lost and Found department. The TSA holds items for a minimum of 30 days and makes every effort to reunite passengers with their belongings. If you lost your item in another area of the airport, check the airport's website for contact information. Some airports, like LAX, provide contact information for lost items in different areas, such as airline, dining and shopping, transportation, and US Customs.
When filing a lost item report, it is important to provide as much detail as possible about the item, including a description, when and where it was lost, the colour, and any other identifying information. This will help ensure that your item is reunited with you. If you have receipts, appraisals, or flight information related to the item, be sure to include those details as well to avoid delays. You may also be required to provide verification of ownership, as this is required by law for item retrieval at some airports, such as LAX.
If you have lost your baggage, you should contact your airline directly to file a claim at the airport's Baggage Service Office. It is important to act quickly when dealing with lost items, as there may be time limits on how long the item will be held before it is disposed of, auctioned, or donated. For example, at LAX, property is held for 97 days before being disposed of in accordance with the law. Similarly, the TSA holds items for a minimum of 30 days before they are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency, or sold as excess property.
To prevent losing items at the airport, it is recommended that passengers place their contact information on the outside of their electronics, such as laptops, in case they are left behind. This will increase the chances of your item being returned to you if it is found. Additionally, some airports, like LAX, use software such as Pixit Powered by Crowdfind to inventory lost items and review inquiries. However, it is important to note that this software does not physically manage the lost and found, so you should not contact them directly for updates on your claim. Instead, the team will primarily contact you via email and may also call you for further information if needed.
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Screening processes
One key aspect of the screening process is the inspection of personal belongings and electronic devices. Passengers are typically required to remove all items and place them on an X-ray belt for screening. This includes food items, which must undergo X-ray screening, and liquids, gels, and aerosols, which are subject to specific volume restrictions. TSA PreCheck® offers expedited screening, allowing passengers to keep their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets on during the screening process.
For passengers with special medical considerations, alternative screening methods are available. For example, those with pacemakers, cochlear implants, or pregnancy are advised to avoid hand-held metal detectors in sensitive areas. Additionally, passengers with prosthetics or binding may request a private search to explain any anomalies detected during the scan. London Gatwick Airport allows passengers to choose the gender of the officer conducting the search to ensure maximum comfort.
Another component of the screening process is passenger prescreening programs such as Secure Flight, which identifies low and high-risk passengers before their arrival at the airport by cross-referencing watchlists and trusted traveller lists. Additionally, passengers may be subject to further searches or secondary inspections by law enforcement officers, such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers or Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. These searches may include electronic devices, but they cannot be solely based on factors such as religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
In the event of lost or damaged items during the screening process, passengers can file a claim with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA also provides customer service assistance, allowing passengers to submit complaints, request assistance for travellers with disabilities, and access resources for security-related inquiries.
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Prohibited items
When travelling, it is important to be aware of the prohibited items that are not allowed past airport security. These restrictions vary depending on the airline, destination country, and whether the baggage is carry-on or checked. It is the responsibility of the traveller to be aware of the regulations and restrictions of the specific airport, airline, and country they are visiting. Failure to comply with the rules may result in items being confiscated or denied entry.
Electronics with lithium batteries, such as e-cigarettes, smart bags, and personal movement devices, may be prohibited or have specific requirements. For example, batteries must be removed from certain devices and stored in carry-on baggage, while spare batteries should be requested in advance and may have wattage restrictions. Additionally, certain electronic devices, such as pagers and walkie-talkies, may be forbidden on flights to or from specific destinations, such as Dubai.
Other prohibited items in carry-on baggage may include sharp objects, such as knives and scissors, as well as flammable liquids and solids, radioactive materials, poisons, and offensive or irritating items. Firearms and ammunition may be allowed in checked baggage with the proper permits, licences, and reservations. However, they are typically prohibited in carry-on baggage.
It is always advisable to review the specific guidelines provided by the airline and destination country before packing for air travel. These guidelines can usually be found on the websites of the relevant authorities, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or the airline's customer service pages.
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Security identification display areas
- Secure Area: Any part of the airport where all persons are required to possess a current, valid, airport-approved identification badge, and to display it at all times.
- Sterile Area: The entire segment of the airport beyond the security checkpoint.
- AOA (Airport Operations Area): The airfield itself; any area used for landing, take-off, and surface manoeuvring of aircraft.
In the US, SIDAs are designated by an airport operator to comply with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements. Similar systems are in place in Australia (Aviation Security Identification Card or ASIC) and Canada (Restricted Area Identity Card or RAIC).
The TSA estimates that there are approximately 1.4 million aviation workers with access to SIDAs at airports across the United States. With vendors, contractors, airline personnel, airport personnel, passengers, and the general public circulating in a large facility with multiple levels of security, there is a potential for every type of risk. To mitigate these risks, airports must automate daily worker policy checks, gain daily insights into inactive accounts with active access, and identify people with active badges that have never accessed the site or have non-compliant approval status.
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Electronic device searches
The US government asserts its authority to search all electronic devices at the border, regardless of an individual's legal status in the country. This includes US citizens and foreign nationals. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains that it focuses on physical security and that searching electronic devices is not part of its procedure. However, in practice, there are scattered reports of TSA agents searching electronic devices.
If you are asked to provide your device for inspection, you are not legally required to unlock your device or share your password. Nevertheless, refusing to do so may lead to consequences such as the detention of your device, denial of entry, or its confiscation. CBP policy states that if an electronic device cannot be inspected due to security measures, it may be subject to "exclusion, detention, or other appropriate action or disposition."
If you choose to unlock your device, you should change your passwords as soon as possible afterward and not use them elsewhere. It is also recommended to leave electronic information off your device and instead use cloud storage to access it after your trip.
Consequences of refusing to comply with search requests vary according to location, applicable laws, and the citizenship and immigration or visa status of the traveler. It is important to research your destination to be aware of the expectations and your rights. For example, in the US, CBP distinguishes between a "basic" and an "advanced" search. A basic search generally involves an officer manually reviewing the contents of the device without external equipment. An advanced search involves sending the device for a more thorough inspection. CBP officers may also download the full contents of your device and save a copy of your data.
If you believe your rights have been violated during a border search, you can file complaints through the CBP's website or the TSA website.
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Frequently asked questions
If your property is lost or damaged during the screening process, you may file a claim with TSA. If your property is lost or damaged during transport to the plane or baggage claim, contact your airline. For items lost at the security checkpoint, contact lost and found. For items lost elsewhere in the airport, contact the airport authority.
At airports in the United States, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers conduct security screenings. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you. However, they have the authority to conduct further searches even if the initial screening reveals nothing suspicious. If you refuse to answer questions, you may be denied entry to the United States.
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion. Prohibited items also include sharp objects, scissors, and tools.
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