Navigating TSA Will Become Easier and Faster in 2023—Here’s How

As 2022 comes to an end, it’s clear this year won’t be remembered as a high point in air travel history. With understaffed airlines and airports struggling to handle a surge in passengers following the pandemic's downturn, many will recall this year for the long lines at airports, numerous flight cancellations and delays, and the overwhelming amounts of lost luggage both domestically and internationally.

Despite the challenges faced by many travelers, the positive news is that significant improvements are on the horizon that promise to transform—and enhance—the airport experience moving forward.

This progress is largely due to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) gradually investing in technology and expanding programs designed to expedite processes. Many of these initiatives were started before the pandemic but were postponed as the nation focused on the COVID crisis. Now, as TSA refocuses on these efforts, familiar tasks during security screenings—such as showing boarding passes and valid IDs or removing liquids and laptops from carry-ons—might soon become obsolete.

Anticipated changes in TSA security screening for 2023 and beyond

Utilizing your face as identification

One of the more debated initiatives currently underway involves pilot programs at 12 U.S. airports aimed at helping the TSA evaluate how the introduction of biometric and facial recognition technology might enhance the security screening process.

“TSA’s biometric initiative aims to utilize facial recognition technology to . . . simplify the passenger experience,” a TSA representative states to Dinogo.

The TSA has been experimenting with biometrics for passenger identification at security checkpoints for several years. The agency asserts this is being done "while protecting privacy and civil liberties." Participation in these biometric pilot programs is voluntary, allowing travelers to opt out; however, privacy advocates remain concerned about the implications of this technology, which is not infallible, as noted by Barbara Peterson in a recent report for Dinogo.

Despite concerns, the TSA is dedicated to further testing and expanding facial recognition technology. According to the agency's "Biometrics Roadmap" released in 2018, facial recognition systems will enable "TSA and aviation security partners to decrease reliance on physical travel documents and manual inspections," thereby enhancing the overall security process.

TSA states that "implementing biometrics will modernize the identity verification process for aviation passengers." The objective is to leverage biometric technology to enhance the accuracy and speed of identity checks, ultimately providing a faster and more seamless experience for travelers.

Currently, 12 U.S. airports are engaged in TSA’s biometric pilot assessment program, where travelers might encounter cameras scanning their faces to verify their identities while passing through security checkpoints.

Airports involved in TSA’s biometrics and facial recognition pilot initiative:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Baltimore–Washington International Airport (BWI)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Gulfport Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
• Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

At many airports, showing your boarding pass to TSA is no longer necessary.

In addition to your physical ID, TSA aims to reduce its dependence on another form of documentation—your boarding pass. As of the latest update, at 206 airports across the U.S., travelers can skip scanning their boarding pass at several security checkpoints. These airports have adopted Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), a system that connects electronically to the flight database, enabling TSA officers to verify passengers’ flight information and their enrollment in trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck, merely by scanning their ID.

There are currently 1,986 CAT units operational at various airports nationwide, and TSA's goal is to implement these units at all airports in the United States, as reported by a TSA spokesperson to Dinogo.

Passengers must still check in with their airline and obtain a boarding pass, whether it's paper or electronic, and will need to scan their boarding pass at the gate when boarding their flight.

To utilize the CAT scanning process, passengers aged 18 and older must present valid identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license (which must be a Real ID starting in May 2025), a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. Department of Defense ID, a U.S. Merchant Mariner ID, a Global Entry or NEXUS card, a permanent resident card, or another government-issued ID.

Here are some airports equipped with the new CAT technology, where travelers are unlikely to be asked by TSA agents to present their boarding passes:

• Alaska’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Charleston International Airport (CHS)
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• Washington–Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• LaGuardia Airport in New York (LGA)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)

TSA maintains a comprehensive and updated list of all airports featuring the new CAT security systems on its official website.

Travelers can leave their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags.

A significant upgrade I experienced last Thanksgiving at Raleigh–Durham International Airport was the introduction of new Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems. These advanced scanners allow travelers to keep liquids and laptops in their bags, dramatically speeding up typically slow security lines. In my case, my family and I breezed through a lengthy security line in just minutes, making a notable difference in wait times.

Laptops and liquids can stay in your carry-on because the enhanced scanners can more effectively identify weapons, explosives, and other prohibited items compared to older models. To date, TSA has installed 234 CT scanners, with plans to double that by November 2023. While non-TSA PreCheck passengers still need to remove their shoes (TSA PreCheck passengers can keep their shoes on), not having to take out liquids and laptops significantly improves the process.

A TSA spokesperson informed Dinogo, "Our aim is to allow 3-1-1 liquids to remain in bags during checkpoint screenings at as many airports as possible."

Airports featuring new scanners that allow laptops and liquids to remain in your carry-on:

• Albany County (ALB)
• Birmingham International (BHM)
• Nashville International (BNA)
• Burlington International (BTV)
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
• Chattanooga Metropolitan (CHA)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
• Des Moines International (DSM)
• El Paso International (ELP)
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL)
• Greenville–Spartanburg (GSP)
• Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD)
• Washington–Dulles International (IAD)
• Wilmington International (ILM)
• Memphis International (MEM)
• Manchester Boston Regional (MHT)
• Raleigh–Durham International (RDU)
• Stockton Regional (SCK)
• Syracuse–Hancock International (SYR)
• Tallahassee International (TLH)
• Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)

Airports set to receive new scanners in January 2023:

• Amarillo International Airport (AMA)
• Austin–Bergstrom International (AUS)
• Bradley International (BDL)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)

Additional enhancements to the TSA security screening experience

The price of TSA PreCheck has been reduced.

While we anticipate the arrival of advanced technologies that will save time at more airports, there are some other strategies that can help travelers reduce their security wait times. One effective option is the ever-reliable TSA PreCheck program, which enables passengers to keep liquids and laptops in their carry-ons and wear their shoes during screening, saving valuable minutes in security lines that are often significantly shorter than those for non–TSA PreCheck travelers. Recently, TSA lowered the enrollment fee for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership from $85 to $78, and it previously reduced the renewal fee to $70. There are now no reasons not to enroll in this invaluable trusted traveler program.

Airports provide fast-pass security lanes that you can reserve ahead of time—for free.

A recent innovation in airport security is the virtual queuing option, which lets travelers book a security line time slot in advance, allowing them to skip to the front of the line. This service is managed by Whyline, a company acquired by Clear earlier this year. While Clear requires a membership fee for its expedited services, the Whyline fast-pass system is offered free of charge.

The fast-pass service is currently accessible at these U.S. airports:

• Charleston International Airport (CHS)
• Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

With all these advancements, 2023 is shaping up to be a year where we can expect to spend less time waiting in airport security lines. That’s an improvement we’ll happily embrace.