Kristi Noem hints at liquid container size changes for TSA
Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), indicated at the Hill Nation Summit that the Transportation Security Governance (TSA) is considering changes to the allowed size of liquid containers for air travel. Currently, liquids under 3.4 fluid ounces are permitted in carry-on bags. Noem suggested that new regulations regarding liquid sizes may be announced in the future as part of broader efforts to make domestic air travel easier and more efficient.
She mentioned that DHS is exploring new scanner technologies and working with several companies to pilot improved security screening processes at select airports before nationwide implementation. The goal is to create a smoother passenger experience where travelers could simply walk through scanners with their carry-ons and proceed directly to their flights, while maintaining safety standards through a multi-layered screening approach.
Noem also criticized the Biden administration for not prioritizing improvements to air travel efficiency and welcomed recent TSA changes allowing travelers to keep their shoes on during security checks. she emphasized DHS’s commitment to balancing enhanced security with better, more hospitable travel experiences.
Kristi Noem hints at liquid container size changes for TSA
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday hinted at changes to airport security liquid container size regulations.
At the Hill Nation Summit, Noem said the size of liquid containers allowed on planes is one of the changes the Transportation Security Administration, which reports to her, is thinking about changing.
“But I will tell you — I mean the liquids — I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquid needs to be,” Noem said to a NewsNation host at the summit. “We’re looking at, you know, our scanners.”
Her comments come a week after DHS announced that travelers flying domestically will no longer have to remove their shoes when passing through security screenings.
When Noem teased the change during the summit, the audience cheered at the idea.
Currently, any liquid under 3.4 fluid ounces is allowed in carry-on bags. TSA confiscates anything over that number, or passengers are given the option to check the bag the liquid was in.
Noem spoke about wanting to make domestic traveling easier and a better experience for people. She revealed that DHS is in discussions with several companies to reach this goal.
“Well, hopefully the future of an airport where I’m looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your flight,” Noem said.
According to Noem, the DHS is “working with several different companies with technologies to give us competitive bids on what they actually do.” Additionally, she said the department will pilot this “at a couple of airports before it gets implemented nationwide.”
Noem told the Hill that this isn’t something that will be announced in a week or two. However, her teams are working toward a bigger goal of making traveling experiences “much better, and more hospitable for individuals, but also still keep safety standards.”
Additionally, Noem said TSA needs to implement a “multi-layered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still safe.”
“It is still a process that is protecting people who are traveling on our airlines. But it has to make sense. It has to actually do something to make you safer,” Noem said.
At the summit, Noem criticized the Biden administration for not working to make air travel easier and more efficient.
TSA WILL ALLOW AIR TRAVELERS TO KEEP THEIR SHOES ON THROUGH SECURITY
“I don’t think that was questioned under the Biden administration. It was — I kept wondering if we were doing things just to slow people down, or what it was, but TSA is working on the technology that we have available to us if we deploy it correctly,” Noem said.
Noem said the department’s overall goal for TSA is for passengers to be able to walk through screeners and head straight to their flight.
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