TSA to Begin New Screening Procedures for Carry-on Bags

NASHVILLE ─ As part of its ongoing effort to ensure the security of airline passengers at U.S. airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing new screening procedures for carry-on items that require travelers to place all electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for x-ray screening in standard lanes.

TSA is implementing the new procedures now at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in a phased in approach to minimize the impact to operations as TSA officers and passengers adjust to the new security procedures.
Standard checkpoint screening lanes may experience longer wait times during the training period as TSA officers and passengers adjust to the new enhanced security procedures.

As new procedures are phased in, TSA officers will begin to ask travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image. In standard screening lanes, TSA officers will be stationed in front of the checkpoint X-ray machines to guide passengers through the screening process and recommend how best to arrange their carry-on items for X-ray screening. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving. There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint; food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags.

The stronger security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck who are using TSA PreCheck lanes. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck do not need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts. The program allows TSA to focus resources on passengers who may pose a high risk to security while providing expedited screening to those travelers who have been identified as low-risk, trusted travelers. To sign up for TSA PreCheck, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck.

With the continuing increase in passenger traffic at BNA, in May 2018, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) will be adding two additional screening lanes to the existing 10 lanes for a total of 12 security screening lanes. BNA Vision, the airport’s ongoing growth and expansion plan, calls for an expansion of the security checkpoint to 20 lanes by 2023.

SAVE THE DATE: Mark Howell, TSA regional spokesperson, will be at BNA on Friday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. for a demonstration of new screening procedures and to answer related questions.
For more information on TSA’s enhanced accessible property screening, visit www.tsa.org.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) was established in 1970, and owns and operates Nashville International Airport (BNA) and John C. Tune Airport (JWN). With more than 13.5 million passengers visiting each year, Nashville International Airport is the fourth fastest growing airport among the top 50 airports in North America. BNA serves 450 daily flights to more than 50 nonstop markets. It is now the 33rd busiest airport in the U.S. MNAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit flynashville.com. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/NashvilleInternationalAirport and follow us on Twitter: @Fly_Nashville and Instagram: @FlyNashville. Learn more about BNA Vision, our growth and expansion plan for the airport, at BNAVision.com.

###