TSA Rolls Out New Screening Measures at Miami International Airport

"We have identified Miami as an innovation airport, which means as we bring in new technology on and we want to test it in the live environment, we bring it down to Miami," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

• By Jessica Davis
• Feb 28, 2019

Miami International Airport is one of the first airports to obtain new machine readers that the Transportation Security Administration believes will cut down on security checkpoint time.

"We have identified Miami as an innovation airport, which means as we bring in new technology on and we want to test it in the live environment, we bring it down to Miami," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

The new machine will help agents better identify airport travelers and their destinations, the TSA said. The machine readers can take a driver’s license or passport and “turn it into a wealth of information, including what flights you’re taking,” according to NBC 6.

The TSA predicts the new technology will cut in half the time it takes for an agent to move you to the next step of the screening process.

"With this new system, the information is going to be at the instant you present yourself at the checkpoint," Pekoske said. "That's what the officer is going to see."

The TSA is also bringing new carry-on screening technology to airports soon. The machines are similar to medical CAT scan devices and will help agents screen carry-on luggage.

"It basically presents to the operator a three-dimensional view," Pekoske said. "So, when an operator looks at a carry-on bag (they can) turn it around, turn it upside down and slice it."

The tech will help decrease screening wait times, as agents won’t have to go through as many bags by hand.

"For carry-on bags, passengers won't have to take laptops or liquids, aerosols, gels, and food items out of their carry-on bags," Pekoske said. "So, that's a big convenience item. That'll make the line go faster."

The airport will also have a camera system to protect its perimeter.

The MIA is adding the new tech one checkpoint at a time.

"The net result of all of this is a huge improvement in the effectiveness of security," Pekoske said.