NORFOLK, Va. — To ensure the security of airline passengers and the nation’s airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun to implement new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items at airports across the country with the procedures now in place at Norfolk International Airport.
The new procedures require travelers to place all personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening at checkpoints and are designed to address the current terror threat by raising the baseline of aviation security. The new procedures were originally announced last July and began getting phased in airports nationwide last fall.
Passengers can expect to see TSA officers ask travelers to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years.
This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image by uncluttering carry-on bags, thus allowing for a clearer X-ray image for the TSA officers.
Examples of personal electronic items that should be removed from carry-on bags include laptops, tablets, e-readers and cameras.
TSA officers are stationed in front of the checkpoint X-ray machines to guide passengers through the screening process and recommend how best to arrange their carry-on items for X-ray screening. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.
There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint. Food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags. As always, TSA suggests passengers arrive to the airport 90 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time from Norfolk to allow adequate time to navigate the ticketing, baggage and security screening processes.
The new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® who are using TSA Pre✓® lanes.