On Thursday, which marks the 13th annual Transgender Day of Visibility, the Transportation Security Agency announced new screening standards for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming airline passengers.
The TSA will update Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units in airport checkpoints with an algorithm update that reportedly increases accuracy and efficiency, and replaced the current gender-based AIT system, according to a press release.
"By replacing the current, gender-based AIT system, this new, more accurate technology will also advance civil rights and improve the customer experience of travelers who previously have been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas," the press release stated.
The TSA stated that the agency had received $18.6 million in funding within the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations to see that the updates are implemented nationwide.
Upon successful testing, the TSA will deploy these updates to airports later this year.
The TSA also stated that it will reduce the number of pat-down screenings for "certain passengers who trigger the AIT scanner in a sensitive area."
"This change will reduce pat downs for TSOs and the traveling public without compromising security and will be in effect until the new gender-neutral AIT screening technology is deployed later this year," they said.
"On this internationally recognized day for the transgender community, TSA is proud to announce significant initiatives as a direct result of close partnership with community stakeholders," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
"Over the coming months, TSA will move swiftly to implement more secure and efficient screening processes that are gender-neutral, as well as technological updates that will enhance security and make TSA PreCheck® enrollment more inclusive. These combined efforts will greatly enhance airport security and screening procedures for all," he added.
In addition to the recently announced changes, the TSA reiterated an announcement made in February, in which they will remove gender considerations when validating a traveler’s identity at security checkpoints.
"When travelers appear at the travel document checker podium for identity verification, gender information is irrelevant in determining that a traveler may proceed into the screening area," they said.
The TSA Precheck program will also now include an "X" gender marker option on its application, for those that don’t identify as male or female.
"Beginning in early April 2022, TSA will allow TSA PreCheck enrollees to select their gender based on self-attestation, regardless of the gender on the person’s identification documents," they wrote.
The TSA noted that they have updated its Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming Passengers page "to provide information to the traveling public on all gender-related updates," including updates to screening protocols and identity verification procedures.
In addition, the TSA said it "continues to work closely with air carriers across the nation" to promote airlines adding an "X" gender marker as a valid marker for travel reservations.
They said that two domestic air carriers currently offer the mark, as well as a "U" marker, and a third would be added later this year.
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