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Airport security is a complex and evolving process that involves multiple agencies and procedures. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is primarily responsible for screening passengers, baggage, and cargo at airports in the United States, other agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also play a role in ensuring the safety of air travel. With the increasing focus on national security and evolving threats, airport searches have become more thorough and extensive, often including screening of electronic devices and personal items. These searches are conducted to prevent prohibited items and threats to transportation security from entering sterile areas of the airport, but they also raise concerns about privacy and potential profiling by law enforcement. Understanding the rights of passengers and the protocols followed by security agencies is crucial for safe and respectful travel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who conducts the search | Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, airport police |
| What they search | People, baggage, cargo, electronic devices |
| When they search | When there is a reasonable suspicion, when an item alerts the body scanner, when selected at random by a computer, when there is an issue with documentation, when there is a potential administrative immigration violation, when there is a potential violation of civil or criminal laws enforced or administered by CBP, when further inspection is needed |
| Where they search | Physical border, functional equivalent of the border, extended border, ports of entry |
| Why they search | To prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security, to enforce customs, immigration, and other laws, to address issues with documentation, to prevent child pornography, to prevent classified materials or export-controlled information |
| How they search | Advanced searches require reasonable suspicion of a violation of law enforced or administered by CBP or a national security concern and require the approval of a senior manager, pat-downs, bag searches, basic searches, advanced searches |
| Your rights | You have the right to request a pat-down by a person of your gender in a private area, you have the right to wear a religious head covering, you may opt your children out of an airport scan |
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What You'll Learn
TSA officers' search procedures
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are responsible for conducting security screenings at airports. While most TSA officers are not commissioned law enforcement officers, they are authorised to search passengers, their baggage, and cargo at screening checkpoints. TSA officers cannot, however, make arrests. This role is fulfilled by other law enforcement officers, such as airport police, who are also present at airports.
TSA's screening procedures are designed to prevent prohibited items and security threats from entering the sterile area of the airport. These procedures are subject to change and are adapted based on evolving threats, with TSA working closely with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to share information. The procedures include screening approximately 3.3 million carry-on bags daily for explosives and other dangerous items. Passengers are required to remove electronic devices larger than a cell phone, such as laptops and tablets, from their carry-on bags for separate X-ray screening.
TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures, including pat-down procedures, which may be conducted as part of enhanced screening or in response to alarms from screening technology. These pat-downs are conducted by officers of the same sex and may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet, including sensitive areas and head coverings. Passengers have the right to request private screening, which is accompanied by a companion of their choice and supervised by a second officer of the same sex.
TSA also employs advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing. Additionally, they utilise a risk-based passenger pre-screening program called Secure Flight, which identifies low and high-risk passengers before their arrival at the airport by matching their information against trusted traveller lists and watchlists. This program protects passenger privacy by collecting only the necessary personal information, such as full name, date of birth, and sex.
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Searches of electronic devices
At airports, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers conduct security screenings. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you. Other law enforcement officers, such as airport police, are also present at airports.
TSA's screening procedures are intended to prevent prohibited items and other threats to transportation security from entering the sterile area of the airport. As such, passengers are required to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin for X-ray screening. Common examples of these devices include laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles.
In addition to the TSA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may also search electronic devices at the border. This includes mobile phones, computers, cameras, and other electronic devices. CBP's authority to conduct these searches is based on statutory and regulatory provisions, as well as applicable judicial precedent. The searches are intended to enforce the law, protect border security, and ensure compliance with customs, immigration, and other laws.
CBP distinguishes between a "basic" and an "advanced" search. A basic search involves an officer seizing a device and manually inspecting its contents while it is in airplane mode. An advanced search, on the other hand, involves connecting the device to external equipment to download, review, copy, or analyze its content. This type of search requires approval from a senior manager due to "reasonable suspicion of a violation of law."
It is important to note that the right to wear a religious head covering is protected during airport security screenings. However, if an alarm is triggered, officers may request additional screening, which may include a pat-down of the head covering or a request to remove it. Passengers have the right to request that this additional screening be conducted by a person of their gender in a private area.
When it comes to electronic device searches, authorities may request access to devices, email accounts, and social media accounts when entering or exiting a country. The consequences of refusing to comply with search requests can vary depending on the location, applicable laws, and the citizenship and immigration status of the traveler. These consequences can include detention or denial of entry.
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Strip searches
At airports, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers conduct security screenings. TSA officers are not typically commissioned law enforcement officers, and their role is to screen passengers, baggage, and cargo. They can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you. TSA officers are supported by other law enforcement officers, such as airport police.
In some cases, you may be subjected to a strip search at an airport. A strip search is an invasive procedure that involves the removal of clothing, sometimes including underwear. It is important to note that strip searches are not routine and must be supported by "reasonable suspicion." The procedure should be clearly explained, and verbal consent should be obtained from the individual or their guardian. Strip searches must be conducted in a private area to protect the privacy of the individual being searched.
During the screening process, TSA officers may ask you to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag for X-ray screening. This includes laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles. They may also inspect and test liquids, such as breast milk or formula, for explosives.
It is important to know your rights when encountering law enforcement at the airport. Officers cannot select you for a personal search or secondary inspection based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. You have the right to wear a religious head covering during screening, but additional screening may be requested if an alarm is triggered. You can request that any pat-down or removal of your head covering be conducted by a person of your gender in a private area.
Additionally, while customs officers may ask about your immigration status, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are not required to answer questions about their religious or political beliefs and cannot be denied entry for declining. If you are a U.S. citizen, you also cannot be denied entry for refusing to provide passwords or unlock electronic devices, although this may lead to delays and further questioning.
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Pat-down searches
If a passenger walks into an airport terminal and sets off a metal detector or is chosen for extra screening, they may be subjected to a pat-down search. During a TSA pat-down search procedure, a transportation security officer (TSO) will use their hands to feel for items that may be hidden on an individual’s body or underneath their clothes. An officer who is the same gender as the passenger should handle the pat-down. If this is not possible, additional steps may be implemented to guarantee that the screening is properly performed.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the new TSA policy has forced many passengers to undergo extremely intrusive and humiliating "pat-down" searches. Passengers have reported feeling humiliated and traumatized by these searches, with some comparing the psychological impact to sexual assaults. The standard practice may include agents fingering your ankles and running their hands up your legs, including the area between your inner thighs and crotch. Agents may also pat your genital area through your clothing, and rub and squeeze your arms, back, stomach, buttocks, and breasts with open hands through your clothing.
Passengers with religious head coverings have the right to wear them during security screenings. However, if an alarm goes off, airport security officers may request additional screening, which may include a pat-down of the religious head covering. Passengers have the right to request that the pat-down be conducted by a person of their gender and in a private area. Passengers may also opt their children out of an airport scan, but children are not exempt from the pat-down search.
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Searches of children
At airports, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers conduct security screenings. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you. TSA standard screening procedures apply to children 13 years and older. Carry-on property of all passengers, regardless of age, must be screened.
Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required. If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, they may be screened through advanced imaging technology. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening.
Parents and caregivers flying with and without children are permitted to bring breast milk and formula (and ice packs or other accessories required to cool the breast milk or formula) in quantities greater than three ounces, as long as they notify the officers about the items at the security checkpoint. When carrying breast milk or formula through the checkpoint, they will be inspected. TSA officials may test the liquids for explosives. TSA officials may ask you to open the containers during the screening process. Breast milk and formula, along with other liquids and gels, may also be packed in your luggage and checked with your airline.
TSA Cares provides information to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions, and those that need additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint.
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Frequently asked questions
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers conduct security screenings and searches at airports. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints.
No, federal law allows for individuals to decline a full-body scan and opt for a thorough pat-down instead. However, individuals who decline the full-body scan must sometimes wait for long periods and may miss their flight.
No, customs officers may search electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones. This is a contested legal issue, and travelers arriving at the U.S. border in California have additional protections.
Yes, you can opt your children out of an airport scan, but they are not exempt from a pat-down search. Children under 13 may keep their shoes, light jackets, and headwear on during screening.
Yes, you have the right to wear your religious head covering during a security screening. If an alarm goes off, officers may request additional screening, which may include a pat-down of your head covering or asking you to remove it.
