Monday, June 25, 2018

A Close Look At American Airport Security Rules

By Henry Olson


Secure airline travel is an integral part of the safety code of every nation. Over the years, there have been numerous reviews of American airport security by different administrations. Following the inauguration of the current administration, new laws came into effect in the year 2017. This article examines some of the rules that have taken effect.

There are many stark differences between American regulations and those used by several other countries. If you are an inbound traveler, you are guaranteed to undergo stricter checks that someone heading to any other nation besides America. These strict checks are to a large extent, based on the increased risk of terrorism and illegal immigration.

According to the new rules, all passengers traveling to the US must undergo questioning before boarding their respective aircraft. This rule also applies to US citizens heading back home from overseas. There are airlines that have gone the extra mile by giving their passengers short forms to fill out before boarding. One such airline is Air France. Others mainly conduct person to person interviews during check in.

As the new checks require considerable time to complete, most airlines insist on arriving at the airport earlier than normal. If you were thinking of traveling soon, ensure you ask your airline about the recommended arrival time. There are some that actually insist on arriving up to 3 hours early. Nevertheless, some countries are exempted from the heightened checks. They include Ireland, Canada and a few Caribbean territories.

The screening procedures conducted on electronics are more stringent today than they were before. The heightened measures were instituted after an upsurge in the use of electronics to hide explosives. In 2017, passengers were banned from carrying laptops to the US. This directive only lasted a short while. The ban may yet be reinstated, at least if the latest rhetoric from the government is to materialize. Electronics screening is credited for being non intrusive, mainly because of the massive adoption of advanced screening technology and sniffer dogs.

One way to ensure you have a smooth sailing all the way is to check the TSA website for updates. Lots of information is posted on the website, including how to pack your baggage to avoid making security checks more difficult. You might also want to find out about the kinds of liquids allowed on board in addition to how much of it is allowed.

According to statistics, there are approximately 280 airports that offer direct US flights across the globe. To achieve such a status, an airport has to conform to a raft of rules set by the TSA, regardless of the existing laws in its base country. These rules include changes to passport printing technology and issuance. The 280 listed airports are situated in over 100 countries.

Pat down screening is by far the most controversial of US travel checks. Several people have complained about it. Nevertheless, it is a must for all travelers.




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