Just in time for summer travel, a trip through security at Asheville Regional Airport is a little easier. Officials with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently completed the installation of several new CT scanners in the Asheville Airport. With the new measures, passengers no longer have to take out liquids or laptops when going through security checkpoints.
The CT technology is similar to what's used in the medical field. The X-ray scanning equipment uses algorithms to view contents of a bag or suitcase by creating 3D images, which can be rotated 360 degrees.
“Use of CT technology at our security checkpoints is a win-win for TSA and passengers,” Beth Walker, TSA federal security director for AVL said. “We get increased detection capability which leads to fewer bag checks, and passengers get to leave their electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in their bags.”
The opening to the X-ray tunnel on a CT-security unit is slightly smaller than on a traditional X-ray unit so TSA advises travelers not to force larger items into the tunnel but to ask a TSA officer for assistance. Another feature of the CT scanner system is every carry-on item must be placed in a bin for screening.
