Eastern Iowa Airport sees enhanced TSA screening for electronic devices

CEDAR RAPIDS - Travelers departing from Eastern Iowa Airport may have noticed stricter regulations when it comes to security screenings on some electronic devices.

The Transportation Security Administration began enforcing new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items at the airport in November.

The new rules require travelers to place all electronics larger than a cellphone - tablets, e-readers and disk drives, for example - into bins for standard lane X-ray screenings. Items should be placed in bins without anything on top or below.

Electronics not removed from carry-on bags require additional screening, which can slow down the process.

'It is still a learning process,” said Matt Storther, TSA Supervisory Transportation Security Officer. 'The public has been very receptive to the new procedures. It's just retraining the public and ourselves to stay current with the procedures.”

Items such as hair dryers, curling irons or straighteners or laptop charging cords can remain in carry-on bags.

All other screening rules remain in place.

TSA Public Affairs Manager Carrie Harmon said getting the word out of new rules is important to ensure travelers know what to expect before arriving at security. The more people know, the quicker the process, she said.

That becomes all the more important during holiday travel times.

While airport screens about 1,600 passengers a day, that number rises to roughly 2,400 from mid-November through early January.

Harmon added that travelers are encouraged to not wrap gifts until they arrive at their destination.

'If the package (sets off) alarms, we may have to unwrap it and that doesn't make anybody happy,” he said.

New TSA screening procedures began this summer in 10 U.S. airports, with plans to expand to other airports over the following months.

Those new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA's PreCheck program. The Eastern Iowa Airport has become the second facility in the state to offer the program.

More than 400 people signed up for the program during a temporary enrollment center set up at the airport for about four days last month, airport spokeswoman Pam Hinman said.

Available during peak travel times in the early-morning and midafternoon, the program allows enrolled travelers to board their flight without having to take off their shoes, outerwear or belt and keeping their laptop and complaint gels and liquids in their carry-on bag.

The PreCheck program since has been expanded to 200 airports nationwide.

Walk-ins for PreCheck enrollment are accepted at the Cedar Rapids TSA office at 625 First Ave. SW. Enrollment comes with an $85 fee and is valid for five years.

Approved individuals receive a code number to input when they book flights.

l Comments: (319) 339-3175; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com