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A Close Look At American Airport Security Rules

By Henry Olson


Secure airline travel is an integral part of the safety code of every nation. Over the years, there have been numerous reviews of American airport security by different administrations. Following the inauguration of the current administration, new laws came into effect in the year 2017. This article examines some of the rules that have taken effect.

American air travel regulations are quite unlike those of many countries. If you are a traveler heading to the country, you are certain to undergo more stringent checks than you would if you were heading to any other nation. These stringent checks are largely attributed to the risk of terror and are also aimed at stemming illegal immigration.

The new rules state that all US bound travelers ought to be questioned prior to getting into their aircraft. This is a law that also applies to US citizens traveling home from abroad. Some carriers have even taken the extra step of providing their passengers with fill out forms for this purpose. Air France is one airline that does this. Majority of the others undertake oral interviews as part of the check in process.

As these advanced checks are known to take time, most airlines require US bound passengers to arrive for check in earlier than usual. If you are due to travel soon, you might want to confirm the appropriate check in time with your airline. Some are known to recommend as much as 3 hours advance arrival. Flights originating from certain countries do not subject their passengers to such advanced checks nonetheless. They include those from Canada, Ireland and certain territories in the Caribbean.

The screening procedures conducted on electronics are more stringent today than they were before. The heightened measures were instituted after an upsurge in the use of electronics to hide explosives. In 2017, passengers were banned from carrying laptops to the US. This directive only lasted a short while. The ban may yet be reinstated, at least if the latest rhetoric from the government is to materialize. Electronics screening is credited for being non intrusive, mainly because of the massive adoption of advanced screening technology and sniffer dogs.

One thing you should do to keep yourself informed is visiting the TSA website on a regular basis. The authority posts updates to its policies regularly and also gives advice on what to do to avoid extending the screening time. It would also be prudent to research about the types of liquids permitted on flights plus how much of it one can carry.

According to statistics, there are approximately 280 airports that offer direct US flights across the globe. To achieve such a status, an airport has to conform to a raft of rules set by the TSA, regardless of the existing laws in its base country. These rules include changes to passport printing technology and issuance. The 280 listed airports are situated in over 100 countries.

The most controversial part of the security process when entering the US is the pat down screening. Over the years, there have been many complaints over how intrusive the process usually is. This notwithstanding, you should brace yourself for it if you plan to visit.




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