A CT machine, similar to those found in hospitals, is now in operation at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and at more than a dozen other airports across the country. This more advanced technology allows passengers to keep liquids and laptops inside their bags while going through security.
For the last few years, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have been using the CT scanner to examine checked baggage. Slowly they are using it to look at carry-ons. Fifteen airports are testing the technology. By the end of 2019, TSA says 145 airports will have it in place.
TSA Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell explains how it works: "What these CT machines can do is create a 3D model of what goes into it. It's taking multiple images at the same time. What it's doing after that is running an algorithym on it to look for threats."
Here is a video of how it works.
Ultimately, lines will be shorter as passengers move through quicker without having to take out laptops or liquids. Manish Aggarwah was in line at CVG's only CT scanner. "This is great," he says. "It saves time and the hassle of taking everything out of your bags and putting it separately and then making sure you put it back in your bag again."
One reason the TSA is slow in rolling out this technology is because it's expensive. Each machine costs $350,000 and the total number of lanes to outfit at the nation's 440 airports is 2,500.
