WASHINGTON - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced that it has deployed an explosives detection trace portal at the passenger security checkpoint in the A/B concourse of Palm Beach (Fla.) International Airport.
"This further enhances our explosives detection capabilities," said David Beecroft, TSA's Acting Federal Security Director at Palm Beach International. "This is part of TSA's pledge to provide the traveling public the highest levels of security and customer service."
"I want to thank our airport and airline partners for their ongoing efforts to facilitate the installation of new technology," Beecroft added.
Passengers identified as needing additional screening will pass through the trace portal for explosives detection screening. As passengers enter the trace portal, they are asked to stand still for a few seconds while several "bursts" of air are released, dislodging microscopic particles from passengers that are then collected and analyzed for traces of explosives. A computerized voice indicates when a passenger may exit the portal. Screeners will take necessary and appropriate steps to resolve possible alarms.
TSA has already advanced its explosives detection capabilities at the passenger security checkpoint by deploying trace portals at airports in Baltimore; Boston; Dallas (DFW); Gulfport, Miss.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Newark; New York (JFK); Phoenix; Providence, R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.; San Francisco; San Diego; and Tampa, Fla.
By the end of September, TSA plans to deploy this technology to airports in Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; New York (LaGuardia); Pittsburgh; San Juan, P.R., and Washington, D.C. (both Dulles and Reagan National).
