TSA discusses summer travel and security technologies in use at HNL

HONOLULU - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a single day record nationally on Sunday, July 7, 2024, when 3,013,413 people were screened through security checkpoints at airports nationwide. While airports in Hawaii did not set any records over the July 4th weekend, security operations were busy. This is why TSA continues to advise air travelers to arrive at the airport early and prepared for every step of the travel process this summer.

During the first six months of 2024, TSA officers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) have screened 5,010,000 departing travelers. This is 4.7% increase from the same period last year when TSA officers screened around 4,784,000 people at HNL. During the 12 months of 2023, TSA at HNL screened about 9,841,600 people through the airport’s security checkpoints.

The busiest times at the HNL checkpoints are generally 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The busiest days to travel locally are Thursdays through Sundays

TSA staffs the security checkpoints to meet its wait time standards, which are 10 minutes and under in TSA PreCheck® lanes and 30 minutes and under in standard screening lanes. TSA at HNL is staffed to meet these standards although there will be times during the busiest days when the passenger volume may temporarily exceed the capacity of the checkpoint.

Here is a summary of passenger screening volumes at Hawaii’s airports for the first-half of 2024 versus the same period in 2023:

High travel volumes and busy security checkpoints have become the norm lately. Nine of the agencies Top 10 busiest travel days nationally have occurred since mid-May.

Regardless of your flight departure time or day of the week, this summer all travelers - no matter at what airport - will need to arrive early and prepared for every step of the air travel experience.

Security technologies and screening procedures
Travelers may notice that security screening procedures can vary by airport. While TSA follows strict standardized screening protocols, those procedures are dependent upon the equipment and technologies in use at any given airport. Due to these variances, it is important for travelers to listen to guidance provided by TSA officers on-site.

Below are some examples of technologies in use at HNL that travelers may encounter and how those will impact the screening process.

Do I need to show a boarding pass to the TSA officer?
If Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) is in use at the entrance to the security checkpoint, no boarding pass is needed. Travelers will need to present only their photo ID to the TSA officer. TSA is using CAT units in all security checkpoints at HNL.

CAT units scan a traveler’s photo identification and confirm the traveler’s identity on-screen for the TSA officer. Through a secure Internet connection, CAT is also able to verify that the traveler is ticketed for travel that day and indicate the type of screening status (such as TSA PreCheck) that the traveler is eligible for.

Because travelers under age 18 are not required to present photo identification to the TSA officer, anyone 17 and younger will need to show a boarding pass to gain entry into the security checkpoint.

TSA does recommend all travelers have their boarding pass available in case the TSA officer needs to manually inspect it or CAT is not in use.

Do I have to get my picture taken when verifying my identity?
It is never required that a traveler have a photo taken during the travel document checking process, but travelers departing some airports including HNL will have this option. HNL is the only airport in Hawaii using the latest generation of CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, that use facial recognition technology for identity verification of travelers.

CAT-2 units are equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler in addition to scanning their photo identification. CAT-2 is able to compare the traveler’s photo on the government-issued ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the unit confirms a match, a TSA officer verifies it and the traveler can proceed to security screening. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed.

Photos captured by a CAT-2 unit are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not want to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process conducted by the TSA officer.

Do I need to remove electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids from my carry-on?
That will be determined by the type of X-ray scanner in use. TSA at HNL has one computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner. This state-of-the-art CT scanner creates a 3D image of the contents of the bag, giving the X-ray operator enhanced screening capabilities. If a CT scanner is in use, the TSA officer will advise people to leave their electronics and travel size liquids in their carry-on bags.

Does my carry-on property have to go in a bin during screening?
Yes, if your carry-on is screened through the CT scanner, place all items in a bin. Every CT bin is equipped with an RFID tag that allows the traveler’s personal property and the associated X-ray image to be tracked throughout the screening process.

Do I need to take off my shoes?
TSA requires travelers in general screening lanes to remove their shoes during the screening process. However, travelers 12 and under as well as those 75 and older are always permitted to keep on their shoes during the security screening process.

TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers can leave on their shoes as long as they do not alarm the security screening equipment.

Can family members go through the TSA PreCheck lane with me?
Any traveler 17 years old and under can accompany a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. TSA operates a dedicated TSA PreCheck checkpoint as well as dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.

This benefit is another reason to join the more than 19 million people who have enrolled in TSA PreCheck. On average, 99% of TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers wait 10 minutes or less to be screened TSA PreCheck enrollment is now offered by three companies including Telos, CLEAR and Idemia.

Local travelers can enroll in TSA PreCheck on Oahu with Idemia at two locations including 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 110 in Honolulu and 810 Richards Street, Suite 310 in Honolulu. For more information and required documents, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck. An in-person visit is required to complete enrollment in TSA PreCheck.  

Final advice from TSA
With 434 federalized, commercial airports nationwide, 685 security checkpoints and 2,412 security screening lanes, it can be challenging to know what to expect at any airport. Here are some tips to help all travelers have a smooth trip through the security checkpoint at any airport:

1. Arrive at the airport early and prepared. Allow ample time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage and proceed through the TSA security screening checkpoint. Keep in mind that most flights board 30 - 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
2. Be prepared for any scenario. In the security checkpoint, have your photo identification and boarding pass ready. This will keep you from slowing down the screening process for you and everyone behind you.
3. Listen to directions provided by TSA officers. The advisements are specific to the type of screening you will experience. The information given will make your screening experience quicker and smoother.
4. Pack smart. Always start with an empty bag to ensure you don’t inadvertently bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint. Place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids at the top of your carry-on so they can be easily accessed if you are required to remove them. Also, be sure that all liquids are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if transporting them through the security checkpoint.
5. Get assistance prior to traveling. Ensure that carry-ons do not contain prohibited items since they slow down the security screening process. To determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage, download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).