MILWAUKEE — Transportation Security Administration officers with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport unveiled new technology aimed at reducing contact between officers and passengers.
The airport is now using a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, similar to the CT scanners used in medical offices.
Current scanners provide TSA screeners with a flat 2D image of your bag, but the new CT scanner allows for officers to see a 3D image with 360-degree views.
“We can actually take the bags and with the image itself we are able to flip it and spin it,” said TSA Supervisor, Jeff Radermacher.
Along with the new scanner, TSA is now utilizing seven credential authentication technology (CAT) machines. Instead of a TSA agent taking the passenger's ID and boarding pass, the passenger now inserts their identification document into the CAT machine. The officer can then view and verify the passenger information and reservation from their screen.
“We no longer have to touch the IDs it’s it’s great especially with COVID, it’s perfect timing for us,” said TSA Spokesperson Frank Pipia.
TSA officers said the new technology will also help speed up the overall process. Since the CT machine creates a clear image, items like laptops and liquids can stay in your bag.
“We are not having to deal with asking the passenger to take everything out and helping them, we still have officers going through what they should and should not do, but as far as contact, it really reduces it quite a bit,” said Radermacher.
Both technology additions are meant to reduce the amount of contact between passengers and officers.
