Baggage screening improvements in the works?

Sarah Pascarella has a master's degree in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College, where she specialized in magazine writing and nonprofit publishing. She is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the New England Writers association.

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If proponents in Congress get their way, you could be seeing an improved baggage screening process in the near future. USA Today reports that approximately $7 billion has been proposed for new technology that screens bags 10 times faster than current machinery.

The technology, called in-line screening, will consist of conveyor belts with built-in bomb detectors. The belts will transport bags from point to point, starting at check-in, reducing the need for “less-reliable methods” such as hand searches and dog squads.

Several airports have already adopted in-line screening. If this legislation is passed, the proposed budget would enable 10 additional airports to add the system in 2008.

Baggage screening is currently one of the most [% 1590856 | | vulnerable parts of airport security %], now that more people are checking bags due to recent carry-on restrictions. This new screening technology, if implemented, could lead to an improved air travel experience. And unlike such controversial proposals such as [% 2285700 | | strip-search X-ray screening %], this one may leave everyone feeling safe, secure—and not violated.

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