The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported the final daily figure of estimated travel volume for calendar year 2020, closing a year that tested the agency’s ability to innovate and quickly implement modifications across more than 440 federalized airports nationwide to address the pandemic. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, the agency screened a total of approximately 324 million passengers throughout its airport security checkpoints. That figure represents just 39% of the approximately 824 million total passengers screened in 2019.
Travelers leave a lot of loose change behind at checkpoints in their rush to get to their flights. The unclaimed cash is eventually used to improve airport security operations.
A total of 293 firearms have been found in carry-on bags and as improperly packed or undeclared guns in checked luggage at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport so far this year. The TSA reports that 80 to 90 percent of them are loaded.
The Transportation Security Administration unveiled a multistep plan earlier this week to expand facial recognition and biometric use to improve security efficiency and reduce wait times at airport security.
The TSA is considering eliminating passenger screening at more than 150 small and medium-sized airports across the U.S., CNN reports. The proposal would mark a major change for U.S. air travel following 9/11, especially as screening measures for items such as laptops and tablets are increasing.
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