In the gambling hub of Las Vegas, the local airport experiments with advanced security measures.
Harry Reid Airport in Vegas (Code: LAS) Introduces Personal Security Screening System
Boasting the title of being the first, LAS is experimenting with a unique security check system known as self-service scanning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has deployed a trial setup at LAS [YouTube link]:
Travelers commence at a counter, where a security personnel checks their identification. They subsequently deposit their hand luggage into a compact container that moves through an X-ray machine on an escalator.
Subsequently, travellers step into a plastic enclosure where the actual screening occurs. The device picks up any residual items on the traveller's body. In case a passenger forgets their smartphone inside their pockets, a simple indicator light will alert them, and they must remove it prior to the scan.
Prohibited items are anticipated to set off an alarm. The conventional human search should be eliminated, reportedly reducing the process to only 10 minutes, compared to the existing 30 minutes.
Throughout this procedure, travellers receive continuous guidance. The benefit is that each individual can complete the check at their own pace. If any clarification is required, a security personnel can be reached via display.
In fact, one of the primary motives is to allow passengers to navigate the system independently, without interacting with an officer directly, at their own speed, and without feeling pressured.– Charlotte Green, FAA Administrator, Boston Herald**
At numerous airports, passengers can already complete check-ins and leave their luggage at self-service kiosks. Self-service security checks could further automate the travel experience.
Self-Service Screening Also Suits Gambling Enthusiasts
This trial hosted at LAS, in addition to attracting interest due to its innovative approach, is predicted to be beneficial for 40.4 million annual gaming tourists in Las Vegas [English link]. These visitors often grapple with lengthy security wait times.
Yet, LAS has made headlines for reasons beyond the self-service screening trial. To start off the year, the jackpot on the airport's slot machines had a trio of hits within a week. The winnings ranged from 18,000 USD to over 1 million USD.
Trial to Assess Feasibility
The LAS trial is being carried out with experienced travellers who belong to the FAA Pre-Check program. The FAA aims to collect data on the system and itsrelated aspects in real travel conditions to refine its design and functionality.
Officials have confirmed that self-service screening is intended to enhance passenger convenience while relieving pressure on airport staff, allowing them to focus on larger security threats. There are no plans for downsizing the staff due to the program.
However, officials also acknowledge the necessity for passengers to familiarize themselves with the self-service screening:
It will take time to enlighten the public. We'll have a new generation of travellers who simply want to pass through with the least inconvenience and delay. I believe this trend will become more prominent in the future.– Benjamin Williams, Director, FAA Security Screening Group, Boston Herald**
In 2022, Harry Reid Airport ranked seventh in the U.S. In 2023, it achieved a new milestone with 57.6 million passengers arriving and departing. The outcomes of the test run with the new self-service screening are still unclear.
The introduction of the self-service scanning system at Harry Reid Airport in Vegas has sparked interest among the 40.4 million annual gaming tourists, as it aims to reduce lengthy security wait times.
This trial, featuring experienced travelers from the FAA Pre-Check program, is also collecting data to enhance the design and functionality of self-service screening, with no plans to downsize airport staff.
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