US tightens pre-flight screening of tablets, e-readers and game consoles in carry-on baggage

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A TSA official inspects a bag at Terminal 4 of JFK airport in New York City. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:15am, 27 Jul 2017Updated: 7:50am, 27 Jul 2017

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Wednesday it will impose new stricter security rules requiring airline travellers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones like tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

Prior rules required only laptops to be removed for separate screening. The new rules significantly expand the number of electronic devices that will need to be removed for screening and help government employees get a clearer view during X-ray screening.

TSA said the new rules have been in place in a pilot project at 10 US airports including Detroit, Los Angeles, Boston and Phoenix, and will expand to all US airports in the months ahead.

Airline passengers walk past a robot providing tips for getting through security faster during a pilot project as they head toward a security checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Photo: AP

The new enhanced security rules at US airports only apply at standard security lanes and not at lanes for travellers who are in “pre-check” programmes.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, said airlines “remain committed to working collaboratively with DHS officials to strike the appropriate balance of maintaining the efficiency of the system, while ensuring the highest levels of security are in place.”