Three automated screening lanes (ASLs) have been installed at Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport’s security checkpoint 5, which is located at the north end of the airport terminal.
The ASLs will enhance security efficiency while decreasing the waiting time for travelers. Other features include stainless steel countertops designed to enable multiple passengers to place their items in bins simultaneously; automated conveyor belts that move bins into the x-ray machine tunnel and return the bins to the front of the security checkpoint; cameras that capture photographic images of the contents of each bin and are linked side-by-side to the x-ray image of a carry-on bag’s contents; and bins that are 25% larger than a typical bin and are able to hold a carry-on suitcase.
Lance Lyttle, managing director of Sea-Tac Airport, said, “This investment by the Port of Seattle is about improving the customer experience, security and efficiency – all goals to serve our travelers better.
“As one of the fastest growing airports in the nation, we appreciate the partnership with the TSA to find innovative ways to make the experience better for our travelers.”
Jeff Holmgren, TSA federal security director for Washington state, added, “ASLs improve security. TSA officers can spend more time looking for threats and less time on the manual labor of moving bins around the security checkpoint.
“We will continue to work with the Port of Seattle to identify innovations that improve aviation security.”