JACKSON, Wyo. — Upon the reopening of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began screening travelers in a newly renovated security checkpoint.
While TSA’s technology remains the same, the renovated JAC boasts a more spacious PreCheck lane and an updated queue space.
The security technologies that were in place prior to the checkpoint renovation include a computed tomography (CT) scanner to screen travelers’ carry-on luggage in the security checkpoint. This type of scanner provides advanced explosives detection capabilities by applying a sophisticated algorithm to generate a 3-D image of the contents of the carry-on bag. A TSA officer can manipulate the 3-D X-ray image on-screen to allow for a better view of the bag’s contents, ultimately reducing the number of bag checks that are required.
When a carry-on bag is screened through a CT scanner, travelers can leave everything in their carry-on bag, including food and electronics larger than a cell phone. Another requirement of the CT scanner system is every carry-on item must be placed in a bin for screening.
In addition to the CT scanner, TSA has three Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units at JAC. CAT units are programmed to confirm the validity of a traveler’s photo identification and confirm flight information in real-time by matching the passenger’s biographical information from the photo ID against the Secure Flight database.
When travelers approach the travel document-checking podium and CAT is in use, they will either insert their own photo ID into the CAT unit or hand over their photo ID to the security screening officer. There is no need for a boarding pass at this point since the Secure Flight database contains the names and flight details for people ticketed to travel in the next 24 hours. CAT units are designed to identify fraudulent documents and those that have been tampered with.
Other security technologies in the checkpoint include a body scanner, also referred to as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), which screens travelers for metallic and non-metallic items concealed in layers of clothing that may pose a security threat on an aircraft. There are also walk-through metal detectors. X-ray units to screen carry-on luggage; explosive trace detection units as well as a bottle liquid scanner, which is used for screening medically-necessary liquids in quantities larger than 100mL.
During the temporary closure of JAC, TSA modified staffing and operations at neighboring airports to accommodate and screen travelers who would normally depart from JAC. Those airports included Idaho Falls Regional Airport, located about 100 miles to the west; Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport in Rock Springs to the south; Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody to the northeast; and Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman to the north.
“TSA is pleased that air travel has returned to the Jackson Hole Airport. With a very busy summer travel season underway and increasing numbers of people traveling by air nationwide, we are poised to deliver the most efficient security in the most effective manner here at JAC,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Wyoming Richard Whitmer.
