Tag: Security

U.S. Issues New Travel Security Alert For Colombia
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Colombia has long held an iffy reputation for travelers. On one hand, it’s an amazing destination to visit.

On the other hand, many travelers have claimed they feel the need to keep their head on a swivel in certain areas.

Some of the more popular cities to visit are Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena to name a select few. The U.S. Embassy just issued a nationwide security alert this morning for all travelers in Colombia.

While the U.S. Embassy surely has intel we don’t possess, travelers can dive into our in-depth report regarding the safety aspect of Medellin here.

New Security Alert

Tragically, it has been reported from November 1 – December 31, 2023 8 U.S. tourists lost their lives by being duped by criminals.

There are a variety of ways tourists are targeted in Colombia. So much so, there is a common saying in Colombia that tourists should know.

‘No Dar Papaya’ translates to ‘don’t give papaya’. Essentially, do your best to not stand out and make yourself a target.

Keep valuables out of plain sight while going about your day, and stick to tourist-friendly neighborhoods.

Advice from the U.S. Embassy:
- Never physically resist a robbery attempt – your life is always more valuable than possessions
- Trust your intuition – if something feels off, stick to your gut
- Tell someone you trust of your plans when going out
A Fatal Scam

Colombia is no stranger to crime and the U.S. Embassy is most certainly aware. So why the sudden change in tone?

It’s quite alarming to lose 8 lives in such a short span. Medellin, in particular, has become a hotspot for U.S. tourists for its affordable costs and year-round splendid weather, among other digital nomad perks.

The world is a beautiful place, but there are bad apples everywhere. The same goes for Medellin as well as the rest of the country.

With digital nomadism and solo travel being so popular, the road can get lonely at times. With our phones glued to our hips, the easy thing to do is get on dating apps, as they are now universal.

It’s no longer a societal taboo to meet up with strangers, or even ride with them, but perhaps the latest scam will raise red flags again.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota is sounding the alarm on dating apps in Colombia as U.S. travelers are being duped far worse than your typical ‘catfish’.

Lured in to meeting in a public place as most dates go, as the night goes on, victims were lead away from public view and assaulted, drugged, robbed and even killed in some instances.

Not all 8 reported deaths have been attributed to dating apps, but “several” have been linked.

How To Remain Vigilant Dating In Colombia

Other than keeping a heightened sense of awareness, the Embassy notes you should be one step ahead if you sense you’re on a date from hell.

Staying in public view is key as violent crimes typically take place in isolation, such as residences and hotel rooms.

When possible, inform the concierge of your hotel or residence of a visitor and ask them to obtain valid identification beforehand if you have a new visitor.

Sedatives have been used, so it’s important to keep an eye on what you’re drinking and keep your phone within reach, as electronics are a commonly stolen item.

Uptick In Crime

According to the Tourism Observatory of the District Personnel of Medellin, crime against foreigners increased 200 percent toward the end of 2023 when compared to 2022 data.

That’s a big jump that raises eyebrows. What’s even more concerning is many deaths deemed ‘violent’ were U.S. citizens in 2023.

With the latest alert, it appears these unfortunate trends are carrying over into 2024, with the dating app scam becoming the most prevalent tactic.

Here is the kicker – the U.S. Embassy admits crime often goes unreported due to victim embarrassment. While Medellin is the hotspot for crimes against tourists, with the Embassy’s knowledge of unreported crimes, they felt it was necessary to issue an alert for the whole country with Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena being highlighted.

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January 12, 2024
These 3 Popular Mexican Beach Destinations Are Increasing Security Presence To Protect Tourists
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Mexico continues to be a mega-popular destination, particularly for American travelers this summer. It’s always wise to check the latest travel advisories before packing up and boarding your flight.

While travel hasn’t slowed down at all to Mexico’s beach destinations, local officials in 3 of the most popular beach cities are increasing their security presence.

Crime is always a tricky topic because nobody knows when or what will happen. It’s just a general consensus of what has happened lately.

Unfortunately, certain crimes take over headlines and can make a very safe place seem like a bad idea to visit, which hurts local economies and deprives travelers of wonderful experiences.

The last thing a country that thrives on tourism would want is a bad image to deter tourists from spending their dollars.

While most would say Mexico is generally safe to visit in many areas, the country is not taking any chances to alter that narrative.

Mexico is increasing security forces in these 3 beach destinations to protect tourists:

Playa Del Carmen

Municipal President Campos Miranda is taking action to protect tourists in Playa Del Carmen. Not only will 20 elements be added to current forces, but she wants the Navy to create a stronger presence too.

This has happened once before, but the state of Quintana Roo overruled military strong-arming.

What is different now is more tourist areas are seeing an increase in crime, which not only makes tourists uneasy but has also sadly been fatal in rare instances.

It’s the classic “wrong place, wrong time” situation. According to Governor Lezama, head of the state of Quintana Roo, a minuscule percentage of tourists are actually victims.

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The National Guard was deployed to Playa Del Carmen during a previous crime surge but has since left, but they are wanted back.

Whatever ultimately happens in the near future, tourists should know visiting Playa Del Carmen might look a little different with Navy ships in the background, more security officers, and the National Guard on patrol.

Cabo

Cabo is no stranger to adding security personnel to keep tourists safe. This is one of the most popular vacation destinations in North America, after all.

Crime goes up and down, but Cabo is well-positioned to keep its positive reputation. The summer season is here, which means travelers are scratching their itch for some beach time!

Cabo consistently assigns security enforces to ensure tourist safety, especially during a travel rush like Mexico is experiencing right now.

That’s why two dozen police officers are currently being trained and readied to keep Cabo as safe as it normally is.

One of the reasons Cabo is generally safe to visit is simply geography. It’s at the very southernmost point of Baja, separated by the Gulf of California away from mainland Mexico.

So, this region already had an edge compared to other Mexican hotspots. However, there are certain neighborhoods in Cabo not recommended for visitors:
- Santa Rosa
- Las Palmas
- Los Cangrejos
Cancun

Cancun continues to be a top destination for Western tourists, with Americans and Canadians flocking here throughout the year.

Those who have not been to this extremely popular beach escape probably picture amazing resorts and blue water.

These expectations are very true, but they also might see a heavy presence of police and military cruising the streets in and around the tourist zone.

Cancun is one of Mexico’s most prized possessions, so any bad word that leaks out can cause harm. Tourists to Cancun should feel safe knowing they are priority #1 here in terms of safety.

It is estimated approximately 100 new officers are being trained to continue to keep tourists safe. But an additional 100 officers is the goal, according to Municipal President Ana Patricia Peralta.

Cancun is not known for being a city with high numbers of crime, but sometimes tourists can be caught in the crosshairs of a bad situation.

Most often, violent crime stays outside the hotel zone, away from popular tourist attractions. With a higher-than-usual police presence expected, the likelihood of severe criminal acts taking place should decrease even more.

Vacationers might notice an increase in security cameras, drones, and watchtowers throughout the city later this summer as well.

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June 19, 2023
These 7 U.S. Airports Allow You To Skip Long Security Lines With Advanced Reservations

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One thing most people hate about traveling is waiting through long security lines.

Sometimes they can take hours; if you’re going on vacation, spending hours in a security line is a terrible way to start off. Who doesn’t love speeding through security so you can get to your destination quickly?

New ways of getting through airport security lines are being introduced and are getting easier and quicker.

Several airports are adding reservation systems that allow you to book a time to go through security, therefore letting you skip the line. This is groundbreaking, considering the summer season is slated to become one of the busiest times of year for traveling.

Destinations like Orlando, Florida, are adding this system to their airports, and it’s completely free. All you have to do is reserve a time and date and be there for your appointment.

Say goodbye to the days of waiting through hours-long security lines. Even better, you don’t need to have Clear or TSA PreCheck.

These 7 U.S. Airports Allow You To Skip Long Security Lines With Advanced Reservations:

Los Angeles International Airport, California

Los Angeles International Airport, otherwise known as LAX, is one of the busiest airports in the United States, and it’s a central hub for tourism.

Los Angeles is on a lot of people’s bucket lists domestically and globally.

With this new reservation system, you can reserve a time using the Clear system website and breeze through security.

Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota

The second destination on this list is less popular than other tourist spots, but it’s a great place to depart from.

The same system brought to you by Clear allows passengers and future jet setters to reserve a time. All you need is the date you are departing, your airline, and your flight number.

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John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

New York City is a mega tourist destination, and if you’re flying out there, you know how bad the security lines can be.

One of our staffers once had to wait more than four hours for a flight at JFK and almost missed their flight. This is a lifesaver for one of the biggest and busiest airports in the country.

Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey

Alongside JFK, Newark Liberty International Airport is another busy airport because of its proximity to New York City.

Depending on where you’re located in New York or New Jersey, this can be the most convenient airport, and saving time through security is a bonus.

Orlando International Airport, Florida

Orlando is the world’s theme park capital, and millions fly out of its busy airport every year.

Orlando International Airport was one of the first airports to offer this reservation service, and it hasn’t looked back.

The program all started in 2021 and has become so popular that even countries like Germany and Canada are adopting it.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona

Arizona is a beautiful state with many natural wonders that are great for travelers who want to explore the outdoors, and Phoenix is the perfect home base to travel out of.

Once you are done exploring, this reservation service will make the airport experience a breeze, and you’ll fly out in no time.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington

Washington is a nature lover’s paradise. The state has everything from fantastic nature parks to outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking.

If you’re into wellness, this destination is the perfect getaway.

I once did a solo camping trip in the Pacific Northwest, which changed my life. Seeing giant pine trees with turquoise lakes blew my socks off.

With this new service, getting through the airport will be a breeze, and you should take advantage of it.

Look into the service the next time you’re in one of these cities. It’s completely free, and you don’t have to do much, and it’s a great way to make sure your summer plans go off without a hitch.

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June 6, 2023
TSA Warns Travelers Of Security Delays At Hawaii Airports This Summer

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If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii this summer then you’ll be in good company. The number of travelers visiting Hawaii this year is expected to exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Hawaii is a notoriously popular vacation destination and for good reason. Offering sun, sea, sand, and amazing sites, there’s no better place to relax and unwind.

But when a destination is popular, that inevitably means that you will encounter crowds during your trip. Particularly at the airport.

Anticipating high passenger volumes, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering some key advice to travelers departing from Hawaii’s airports this summer, to make your journey go as smoothly as possible.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Leave Plenty of Time For Security

When airports are busy, it takes more time for TSA to process travelers efficiently.

The TSA are advising that, during peak travel periods, there may be times when the number of passengers who need to be screened is greater than the capacity of the security screening checkpoint.

In these circumstances, you may be asked to wait upwards of 30 minutes before you are invited to pass through the security screening checkpoint.

To avoid missing your flight, therefore, you should arrive at the airport earlier than you might normally, leaving plenty of time to pass through security.

This will be easier if you plan ahead: Think about how you will get to the airport, know your flight information, and be ready for each step of the airport travel process.

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Think About When You Travel

The busiest times at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) checkpoints are between 10 am and 2 pm, and then again between 5 pm and 8 pm.

If you are keen to avoid the queues and the crowds then try to plan your flight so that you travel outside of these times.

As an added benefit, very early morning and late-night flights tend to be a little cheaper than their peak-time counterparts.

You might also wish to consider flying out of your chosen Hawaii airport on either a Tuesday or a Wednesday. This is because the busiest days to travel both locally and nationally are Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

Register For TSA PreCheck

If you don’t want to wait around in the regular security check line, you might consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck.

This is a program that speeds up the airport security checkpoint screening process by allowing travelers to keep on their shoes, belt, and light outerwear. They can also keep their laptop and travel-sized liquids in their carry-on bag.

More than 15 million Americans are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program and children up to the age of 17 can use the TSA PreCheck lane when they are traveling with a parent or guardian who is registered to the scheme.

Visit www.tsa.gov/precheck to start enrolment into the program.

If you are already registered and eligible to use TSA PreCheck then make sure that you know your Known Traveler Number (KNT) and that your airline profile is up-to-date with this information.

You can then pass through the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport security checkpoint. TSA agents aim to process travelers using this lane within 5 minutes.

Be Prepared

If you’ve passed through airport security before then you’ll already know the drill: remove your shoes and belt, take your electronics and liquids from your bag, and empty your pockets.

Don’t wait until you’re at the front of the queue to start this process: be prepared before you enter the queue so that you can get through as quickly as possible.

If you’re unsure about what you can and can’t take through security in your carry-on, advice from the TSA is that you download the MyTSA app and use the ‘What Can I Bring?’ feature to assist with your packing.

If you need real-time assistance then @AskTSA is available on Twitter for advice.

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June 5, 2023
These 5 U.S. Airports have the Longest TSA Security Wait Times

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The next 3 months will undoubtedly be the busiest times for air travel this year. Fueled by 2 years of lock-downs, people have been deprived of vacations.

Now is the time for them to get out into the world and make up for all those missed flights and destinations.

With kids being out of school and a lot of parents able to take their vacation, this summer is looking like one for the books. Airlines are selling flights at pre-pandemic levels, and airports and airlines are having trouble with the unprecedented demand for air travel.

From understaffed airlines to hour long security lines at airports, the truth of the matter is that air travel this summer will be nothing short of chaotic over the next few months.

There are however ways to mitigate long wait times and one of the best ways to do that is by avoiding airports with the longest wait times because let’s face it; not every airport is the same.

Frequent domestic flyers know that no two airports are ever alike, and we all have that one airport that we dread flying into or out of.

Some airports aren’t just inconvenient or more expensive to fly out of, some actually require longer security wait times.

This means that if you want to make your travels easier this summer, you’ll be wise to avoid these 5 airports with the longest TSA wait times.

Bounce analyzed data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Customs and Border Protection. To determine the average wait time at each airport, the company totaled the wait times at security and passport control.

Be aware that the list does not include time spent collecting luggage or traveling through terminals, passengers should therefore anticipate even longer wait times.

The US airports with the longest wait times

5. O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois)

Total wait time: 39 minutes, 26 seconds

Average security wait time: 19 minutes, 18 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 20 minutes, 8 seconds

O’Hare International Airport is the world’s fourth-busiest airport, serving around 54 million passengers in 2021.

4. John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, New York)

Total wait time: 45 minutes, 54 seconds

Average security wait time: 25 minutes

Average passport control wait time: 19 minutes, 54 seconds

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the busiest airport in New York, serving 30.7 million passengers in 2021.

3. San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco, California)

Total wait time: 45 minutes, 56 seconds

Average security wait time: 27 minutes, 48 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 18 minutes, 8 seconds

San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving over 24 million passengers in 2021.

2. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Total wait time: 46 minutes, 41 seconds

Average security wait time: 18 minutes, 18 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 28 minutes, 23 seconds

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is one of three airports in the greater Miami area. More than 28 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2021.

1. Miami International Airport (Miami, Florida)

Total wait time: 46 minutes 57 seconds

Average security wait time: 24 minutes, 54 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 22 minutes, 3 seconds

Miami International Airport is Florida’s second-busiest airport. It served over 37 million passengers in 2021.

The airport has an online security checkpoint portal that states the expected wait time.

If you want to minimize travel troubles for this summer, be sure to avoid these 5 airports above, and if you can’t avoid them be sure to give yourself plenty of time between connecting flights and departures.

READ MORE:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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June 6, 2022
U.S. Issues Security Warning For Puerto Vallarta
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From the sandy beaches of the world-famous Riviera Maya to its picturesque Pacific Coast, Mexico has been grappling with an increase in violence lately. Although Cancun suffered the brunt of it, and in the midst of a long-awaited tourist season, it is now Puerto Vallarta that has woken up to the news the U.S. has issued a security alert for the city.

Much like its rivals on the Caribbean coast, Puerto Vallarta is a massively popular destination among Americans. A well-developed city with an unparalleled cultural offer, it famously features some of Mexico’s most famous beaches, including Playa de Los Muertos, plus numerous resorts and tourist complexes that rarely see the odd quiet month.

While Puerto Vallarta had managed, so far, to dodge the level of scrutiny Cancun has been under, this may not be the case anymore as more incidents make the headlines:

Confrontation Between Police And Local Gangs Increases In Puerto Vallarta

Following a recent shooting near the Marina Vallarta resort stretch, resulting from a clash between local police and criminal groups, as well as reports of abduction, the U.S. Mission to Mexico was quick to assert safety levels in the region were compromised, mainly as a result of the ‘increased presence of Mexican security forces‘.

While it is easy to think increased security would, in fact, mean the opposite, the U.S. mentions ‘the potential for confrontations between criminal groups and security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and in the Guadalajara metropolitan area’. Although criminals rarely target tourists, they could still be in danger of getting caught in the crossfire.

As authorities warn, shootings can occur in public places and bystanders risk being injured even when not directly engaged in the conflict. Despite reminding Americans of this gloomy prospect, the U.S. does not mention any particular event as the reason behind the alert, which also encompasses other tourist hotspots in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit.

When vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Americans are advised to:
- Follow local news for security updates
- Be aware of their surroundings
- Review personal security plans
- Call 911 during an emergency
They should also ‘reconsider travel’ to the whole state of Jalisco due to ‘crime and kidnapping’. Sadly, Jalisco is not the only destination Americans are now discouraged to visit: Baja California, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, the State of Mexico, which comprises Mexico City, Morelos, and Zacatecas are among other regions listed.

How Actually Dangerous Is Puerto Vallarta Right Now?

Even though crime has increased, it is far from being rampant and U.S. authorities seem aware of that. Unlike the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, Jalisco has not been placed under a ‘no-travel list’, and there seems to be only a moderate to low exposure to violence in the area.

In our article challenging misconceptions about safety concerns in Cancun, we have discoursed extensively on how crime levels are poised to be higher than average in nearly every big North American city – including New York and Los Angeles. That is not to say security alerts should be ignored, especially when issued by security experts.

Nevertheless, visitors should bear in mind Mexico has mobilized a whole battalion to protect tourists from any such incidents in tourist zones. Exercising caution and having contingency plans in place may be advised, both on trips to Mexico and any vacation abroad, but in reality, the vast majority of visits to the country are trouble-free.

Simultaneously, we also cannot overlook the fact that Puerto Vallarta has seen a 200% increase in travel scams, or that power struggles could become more common as more cartels battle for dominance over the Vallarta region. Even then, scams can easily be avoided by following this guidance, while shootings seldom affect vacationers.

If you are headed to Puerto Vallarta soon, make sure you follow all the following recommendation in order to ensure a smoother trip:
- Apply for a passport in advance as there have been long wait times
- Only book travel packages in Mexico through licensed providers
- Pre-book your airport transfer to avoid taxi scams
- Stick to popular tourist areas
- Exercise caution walking after dark, especially in distant neighborhoods
- Do not display any valuables unnecessarily outside tourist complexes
- Purchase travel insurance for increased health and safety guarantees
For more information on travel to Mexico, including all the latest security warnings and Covid updates, make sure you visit our dedicated page.

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May 1, 2022
These U.S. Airports Have The Longest Wait Times At Security

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Do you know how long you are going to wait at the airport? You will now! A new report shared by Bounce, a luggage storage app, shows which airports give the longest and shortest wait times at security.

For travelers, the wait time at airports can affect their travel experience, and having data about selected airports can help them make better decisions when visiting certain cities.

The study analyzed data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs & Border Protection Airport to determine the average waiting time at the main airports in the United States.

Some of these airports with long wait lines are even among the top 10 airports in the world, but focusing only on security time might show different results.

The luggage company explained that they considered data from March 2021 to March 2021. Time estimates vary depending on many factors, but here’s what the statistics have shown.

US Airports With Longest Wait Times

These lists combine passport control and security wait times. It’s important that travelers also consider that luggage and other exceptional circumstances can increase these time estimates.

The longest wait time: Miami International Airport

According to the analysis, travelers will have to wait an average of 46 minutes and 57 seconds to go through security and passport revision. The longest wait process is security where passengers usually wait almost 25 minutes and also about 22 minutes at passport control.

Miami International Airport handles many international flights and is the main flight connection for those visiting the United States from Latin America and the Caribbean. Bounce suggested that this is probably why security controls take longer than in other airports.

The second-longest wait time: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport

Another airport in Florida takes the unfortunate long wait award. At these airports, travelers wait 46 minutes and 41 seconds. The time to go through security takes on average 18 minutes and 18 seconds, and the passport control wait time is 28 minutes and 23 seconds.

This airport controls fewer international flights, compared to the Miami International Airport, but remains very busy. According to the data shared, this airport handles over 700 daily flights.

Third longest wait time: San Francisco International Airport

The next airport with the longest wait time is across the country. Passengers usually wait 45 minutes and 56 seconds to have their passports checked and pass TSA control. Security wait is nearly 28 minutes and passport control wait is 18 minutes.

It is expected that one of the busiest airports in the United States ranks on this list. After Los Angeles International Airport, this airport is the busiest in California, and also serves as a getaway to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

US Airports With The Shortest Wait Times

It’s important to highlight also those airports that make travel smoother and that might be considered by travelers in a rush. This is what Bounce’s report shows:

The shortest wait time: Raleigh–Durham International Airport

Passengers could transit to this airport for as short as 16 minutes and 9 seconds in total. On average, it takes travelers only 10 minutes to wait at the TSA checkpoint and about 6 minutes to go through passport control.

The second shortest wait time: Baltimore/Washington International Airport

At this airport, passengers wait less than 20 minutes, exactly 19 minutes and 14 seconds. According to the information shared, it could be a good option to consider this airport instead of the Washington Dulles International Airport since travelers might save up to 13 minutes in security wait.

The third shortest wait time: Charlotte Douglas International Airport

At this airport in North Carolina travelers wait less than 20 minutes. It takes on average 9 minutes and 54 seconds on security wait time and 9 minutes and 20 seconds on passport control. A surprising result, considering that this airport is transited by 50 million passengers every year.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 7, 2022
U.S. Airports Are Getting New High Tech Scanners That Will Speed Up Security Lines

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TSA will deploy new computer tomography systems to analyze carry-on items starting this summer

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced last Friday that the agency recently acquired new full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems to analyze carry-on items. The new scanners will be installed at the TSA checkpoints across airports in the United States during summer 2022.

The American government agency awarded a $781.2 million contract to Analogic Corporation—an American company that specializes in health care and security technology— for the advanced equipment and the maintenance of the new high-tech scanners. The company will deliver and deploy the powerful equipment, designed with a futuristic aesthetic, within the next few months.

“These awards are another important step in enhancing aviation security,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, and added: “They provide our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improves the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.”

According to the information shared, the new powerful CT systems will help accelerate wait times. Great news for travelers in the US, considering that covid restrictions and the new security measures implemented during the pandemic have been slowing down TSA’s process.

About the New Powerful Scanners

During this year’s summer season, travelers in the United States will be able to see the new technology at the TSA checkpoints. The advanced computer tomography system can detect weapons, explosives, and other items banned for travel.

The new scanners include sophisticated algorithms that recreate 3D images of the items recognized inside the carry-on bags. They will allow TSA officers to view, rotate and analyze the images on three axes. That way authorities can identify dangerous items. This is why passengers won’t have to take out many items from their bags.

The technology recently hired is similar to the one used to scan checked bags, in an innovative size, easier to deploy at checkpoints, and with an optimized algorithm. Full-sized CT scanners include screening lanes with divestiture stations, automated bin return, and high threat containment. The agency expects to receive 469 base and 469 full-size systems soon.

In August 2021, TSA already invested $198 million in Analogic Corporation equipment and service for 300 mid-size Checkpoint Property Screening Systems (CPSS), with the same technology to improve security in a touch-free environment. These are already being installed at U.S. airports.

U.S. citizens traveling within the next few weeks might be able to see the new modern spaceship-like scanners at TSA checkpoints.

TSA’s Recent Measures On Travel Experience

On April 18, TSA will lift the mask mandate on airports and passengers will be able to travel without face coverings. The mandate has been extended, but many remain optimistic about the new date. American Airlines even considered the same date to sell alcohol during flights again, considering that the mask mandate was one of the reasons some passengers broke the rules.

The new scanners will accelerate TSA’s regular security check process at airports. However, US citizens and permanent residents can already speed up this procedure by registering and paying for TSA Precheck, a membership that provides benefits for American travelers.

With a TSA Precheck registration travelers do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, they will get an expedited screening process, and are also allowed to leave laptops and approved liquids inside carry-on bags. Passengers registered for TSA Precheck must bear in mind that TSA recently warned travelers that unruly passengers could lose this privilege.

TSA has also recently expanded to international destinations. The agency opened a location in the Bahamas at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. US travelers coming from the Bahamas to the US can use their TSA PreCheck membership to avoid long lines and get home faster.

Read More:

TSA Extends Mask Mandate For Flights And Airports Until April 18

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021

U.S. Issues New Travel Advisories For 14 Countries

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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March 23, 2022