COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will use the Colorado Springs Airport to test new screening procedures aimed at combating new terror threats at airports.
TSA announced Tuesday that it will test the new procedures, which will force passengers to screen electronics bigger than a cell phone in their own separate bins, at 10 airports across the country over the next few months.
The new procedures come as U.S. authorities warn that terrorists may be working to place explosives inside of laptop computers—information that has led to laptops being banned on all flights from Middle Eastern airlines, and to a laptop ban being considered on European airlines.
It’s also the same information that President Donald Trump allegedly discussed with two Russian officials.
TSA says it will test the new protocols at airports in Boise, Colorado Springs, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Los Angeles, Lubbock, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and Phoenix.
“At these airports, travelers will be asked to place electronics larger than a cell phone in a bin separately for X-ray screening,” the agency said in a statement. “TSA officers may also advise travelers to place other carry-on items separately in a bin. Although, passengers may experience more bag checks, we are testing quicker and more targeted procedures at these locations.
TSA says that separating the large electronics will agents to get a clearer picture of the devices to be sure they aren’t suspicious. The agency says that the plan has the potential to be rolled out nationwide later this year.
