ATLANTA — Airport security changed significantly following the Sept. 11 attacks, and 25 years later, the technology used to screen travelers continues to evolve.
The Transportation Security Administration was created after the attacks. TSA Administrator David Cummins said the agency has remained focused on keeping air travel secure.
“We have a motto at TSA ‘Not on our Watch’ and we have delivered on that mission the last 25 years, we have kept the skies safe,” Cummins said.
In the years immediately following 9/11, travelers faced long security lines and requirements that included removing shoes, laptops and other devices before going through security scanners.
Cummins said screening technology has advanced significantly over the past 25 years.
“Going from magnetometers to full 3D body scanners with the same throughput speed,” Cummins said.
Newer technology also includes facial recognition and e-gates used to verify travelers’ identification.
“E-gates which are much better than just eyeballing a driver’s license, so all of these new technologies are both increasing the security dramatically, but also the throughput speed so we can get through in a matter of seconds,” Cummins said.
Cummins said improvements in technology have also helped improve wait times at airport security checkpoints.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Bill Caiaccio contributed to this story.