Airports And Checked Luggage: What's The Privacy Policy?

Airport security is a complex and multi-layered process, with various procedures in place to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. One aspect of this security involves the screening of checked luggage, which raises questions about the extent of searches conducted by authorities. While it may be a source of curiosity or concern for travellers, the reality is that checked bags are routinely screened using advanced technology and thorough procedures.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, for example, utilises X-ray machines and sophisticated scanners to examine checked luggage for explosives, dangerous items, and other security threats. These scanners can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, as well as organic and inorganic materials. While the scanners themselves do not identify specific items, they create detailed images that trained security personnel use to identify prohibited items.

In addition to the use of technology, physical inspections of checked luggage may also be conducted. This could involve a TSA officer placing a notice of baggage inspection inside the bag after conducting a search. Such inspections may be triggered by a variety of factors, including suspicious items, certain destinations, or even random selection.

The process of searching checked luggage varies across different countries and airports, with some travellers reporting instances of being asked to open their luggage and remove specific items during the security screening process. Overall, the primary goal of these searches is to ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved in air travel.

Airport scanners can detect metallic and non-metallic objects

Airport scanners use different technologies to screen passengers and luggage. The two primary types of scanners are X-ray scanners and millimetre-wave scanners.

X-ray scanners are typically used for scanning luggage. They use low-level X-rays to create images of the contents inside bags. The X-rays pass through materials at different rates depending on their density. Metal, being dense, appears clearly on the scanner’s screen, often highlighted in a distinct colour such as blue or orange. However, X-ray scanners cannot see through dense metal objects. Instead, metal objects appear as opaque or dark areas on the X-ray image.

Millimetre-wave scanners are used for scanning passengers. They use non-ionising electromagnetic waves to create a 3D image of the body. These waves penetrate clothing but are reflected by the skin and any concealed objects, including metal. This means that millimetre-wave scanners do not see through metal but can detect metal objects on a person's body.

In addition to metal objects, airport scanners can also detect organic materials such as drugs, food, explosives, and paper.

Scanners use X-rays to see through luggage and create detailed images

The images produced by X-ray scanners are colour-coded, with each colour corresponding to a different type of material. Organic substances, such as food, paper, drugs, explosives, and clothing, are marked with orange. Inorganic substances, including metals, minerals, and man-made materials like glass and ceramics, are coded blue. Materials that contain both organic and inorganic components, such as batteries, packaged goods, and composite tools, are shown as green.

The brightness of the colours on the scanner is influenced by the thickness of the material being scanned. Thicker materials absorb more X-rays, resulting in darker images, while thinner materials allow more X-rays to pass through, appearing brighter. This brightness difference helps identify items within luggage.

The density of materials also plays a role in determining how objects appear on an X-ray scanner. Denser materials absorb more X-rays and appear darker, while less dense materials absorb fewer X-rays and appear lighter. This differentiation is essential for identifying potentially hazardous items.

The current airport X-ray scanners produce images in orange, blue, and green, which, while helpful, is a crude method for distinguishing between benign and dangerous materials. For example, both maple syrup and nitroglycerin, an explosive, are thick organic liquids that would appear as orange on the scanner.

A new type of X-ray machine, called the Halo system, aims to improve airport security by identifying the "material signature" of different substances within milliseconds. Instead of producing conventional images, the Halo system creates patterns that are then interpreted by the system's software. This technology could be used in conjunction with traditional 3D X-ray images to enhance security and reduce the need for manual searches.

Security officers will search your bag if they notice anything suspicious

If you're travelling through an airport, security officers will search your checked luggage if they notice anything suspicious. This could be because of something you're carrying, or your behaviour.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US has a layered approach to security. Security measures begin long before you arrive at the airport, with the TSA working closely with intelligence and law enforcement communities to share information.

If you're carrying prohibited items or other threats to transportation security, you may be subjected to a bag search. The TSA screens approximately 1.3 million checked bags daily for explosives and other dangerous items. The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. However, if your behaviour arouses suspicion, or your bag contains something that doesn't adhere to the rules, a search will be conducted.

During the screening process, TSA officers may inspect your checked baggage. If your property is physically inspected, you will receive a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag. This informs you that an officer has searched your property.

In some cases, you may be asked to open your bag and show certain items. In other cases, you will not be allowed to touch your bag or its contents during the search. It depends on the location and the perceived level of threat.

If you see any unattended bags or suspicious activity at the airport, you should report it to the TSA or local law enforcement.

Scanners can detect organic materials like food or toothpaste

In addition to distinguishing organic materials from non-organic ones, scanners can also differentiate between different types of non-organic materials. Medium-dense non-organic materials like plastic bottles are marked in green, while metals and hard plastics are marked in blue. This colour-coding system helps security personnel quickly identify potential threats.

The Halo system, developed by British researchers, takes this a step further by identifying the "material signature" of different substances. It uses a hollow X-ray beam to create patterns unique to each substance, which are then interpreted by the system's software. This technology can be used to automate the scanning process and improve accuracy, reducing the reliance on human operators.

While scanners can detect organic materials, it's important to note that they don't always identify the specific type of organic substance. For example, both maple syrup and nitroglycerin, an explosive, are thick organic liquids. Similarly, cocaine and talc are both organic powders. Therefore, while scanners can alert security to the presence of organic materials, further investigation may be needed to determine the exact nature of the substance.

Only 1 in 10 checked bags are searched by airport personnel

Airports use advanced technology to screen luggage for explosives and dangerous items. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they screen approximately 1.3 million checked bags daily. The TSA also states that the majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. However, only one in ten checked bags is searched by airport personnel.

Advanced Technology

Airport scanners use X-rays to see through the surface of your luggage and create detailed images of its contents. These images are used to check the density of items, helping security officers identify suspicious objects. Modern scanners can detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, as well as organic and inorganic materials. Even items wrapped in aluminium foil can be detected.

Reasons for Physical Searches

While advanced technology plays a significant role in luggage screening, physical searches are sometimes necessary. Airport security personnel may open and inspect your checked bag if they notice anything suspicious or see any unusually shaped items during the scan. They may also search for flammable materials like lithium batteries.

Search Procedures

During a physical search, security personnel are not allowed to touch your luggage or its contents without gloves. In some cases, they may ask you to open your luggage and show or remove specific items. It is important to note that you are not allowed to handle or touch the bag during the search process. If your property is lost or damaged during the screening, you can file a claim with the TSA or the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions