5 Things You Need to Know About TSA's New 'Self-Service' Kiosk at Major Airports
- TSA has launched a pilot program for self-service screening lanes at several major U.S. airports, starting with Las Vegas and Atlanta. These kiosks allow passengers to scan their own IDs and boarding passes before proceeding to a self-paced screening lane, reducing human contact.
- The new system aims to cut wait times by up to 30% during peak hours, but only for travelers who are PreCheck members or have TSA-approved expedited screening status. Regular fliers still need to use the standard lanes.
- A key security feature: the kiosks use facial recognition technology to verify passenger identity against a government-issued ID, but you can opt out by showing your ID to an agent instead. Privacy concerns are rising, so know your rights.
- If you make a mistake at the self-service kiosk, like forgetting to remove your laptop or liquid bag, the machine automatically flags you for a secondary manual search by a TSA agent, which could delay your journey.
- TSA warns that the kiosks are not available at all checkpoints—look for signs saying "Self-Service Screening" or ask a staff member. The rollout is gradual, so check your airport's website before traveling to see if you can use the new technology.