Higher technology, happier passengers

Passengers on airline flights may be allowed to carry larger bottles (greater than 3 ounces) of liquids on board sometime in 2009, according to the Transportation Security Authority (TSA).

If plans go according to schedule, the TSA expects to do away with the 3-1-1 rule that currently limits passengers to 3-ounce bottles of liquids in 1 quart bag and 1 bag per person. The term “liquids” also refers to gels, aerosols, and other types of non-solids.

This would be a very welcome change for airline passengers. It could mean faster check-in and shorter security lines at airports.

By fall 2009, the TSA thinks it will have the capability to ease the 3-1-1 rule, although passengers would still be required to remove liquids containers from their carry-on bags and have them scanned separately by X-ray machines.

By the end of 2010, removing liquids from bags will no longer be necessary. Passengers may then keep liquids as they move through airport checkpoints.

The lifting of restrictions in the United States will likely occur together with airports in Canada, the EU and Australia, which imposed similar restrictions on liquids two years ago when intelligence reports hinted of plots to use liquid-based explosives to bomb long-haul flights such as those over the Atlantic Ocean.

Current X-ray machines are unable to distinguish harmless fluids from liquid-based explosives. The limit of 3 ounces of liquid per passengers means that even if a bottle carried explosives, there would not be enough to cause substantial damage and bring down the aircraft.

The next generation of machines comes with technology that can examine the dimensions and density of objects inside carry-on bags. The hardware is able to use multiple view points to achieve better image resolution. It also comes with software with enhanced analytical capabilities.

The TSA expects to deploy 500-600 of these advanced X-ray machines towards the end of 2008. By the end of 2009, there will be double that number; eventually the existing 2,000 lanes across the country will all be equipped with these advanced X-ray machines.

The TSA will also be deploying other equipment at airport checkpoints, such as computed tomography (CT) scanners which have MRI-like capability to detect solids and liquids, handheld bottle scanners which have the capability to differentiate liquid explosives from harmless liquids, chemical analyzer kits, and sensitive spectrometers.

Safety Tips:

* Know that the actual limit is 3.4 ounces (100 ml) of liquids – the international standard. If a TSO (transportation security officer) is not allowing you this much, you can ask for their supervisor or you can participate in the TSA’s feedback program at www.tsa.gov/gotfeedback.