Federal airport security officials introduced a new passenger self-screening system at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, with plans to potentially implement it in other cities across the country. The system, designed by Dimitri Kusnezov, the science and technology under secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, aims to streamline the pre-flight screening process for TSA PreCheck customers.

The new self-screening lanes incorporate a user-friendly interface with instructions for passengers on how to efficiently pass themselves and their carry-on luggage through the screening process without the need for extensive assistance from TSA officers. The system includes a futuristic-looking baggage and personal belongings inspection machine that resembles a scaled-down starship medical MRI machine. It features an automated tray return system that sanitizes trays with ultraviolet light between uses.

Passengers also have access to a separate body scanning booth with millimeter wave technology, which provides detailed instructions on how to stand during the scanning process. The system is designed to reduce the need for physical pat-downs and allow travelers to move through the screening process at their own pace.

Officials noted that passengers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program typically pass through screening in 10 minutes or less, compared to the 30 minutes it takes for regular travelers. The new system is expected to require fewer TSA officers to staff the lanes, allowing agents to focus on broader security concerns.

The cost of designing the system was not disclosed, but officials stated that the technology used is similar to scanners already deployed at airports nationwide. Testing of the new self-screening lanes will be conducted at the "innovation checkpoint" at Harry Reid International Airport, which was unveiled in 2019.

Keith Jeffries, a former TSA director, compared the new system to self-checkout lanes at supermarkets, noting that it may take time to educate the public on how to use the new technology. Despite potential challenges, the system is seen as a positive step towards improving the efficiency of airport security screening.

Harry Reid International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S., set a new record in 2023 with 57.6 million arriving and departing passengers. The Transportation Security Administration reported its busiest day ever at the airport last month, screening nearly 104,000 travelers following the NFL Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.