The “airport security area of the future” would not include lines of people queuing up to go through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, according to the agency’s recently appointed leader.

“In my ideal world, we don’t have hundreds of people queued up to go through security,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said at the Airports Council International – North America conference, The Hill reports. “That in itself is a security vulnerability.”

Pekoske said his agency would work with airports and airlines to come up with a security scheme that doesn’t leave travellers at risk of a terrorist attack as they cluster around security checkpoints.

“If we get some infrastructure investment dollars to be able to change the layout at some airports or even build new terminals, can we get an airport security system that’s not a checkpoint, per say, but has security in a continuum?” Pekoske said.

“It’s going to take several months to get anywhere close to getting a mock-up in place, but you will definitely see us reach out and say, ‘Hey, here’s what we’re thinking,’”

Pekoske lauded the TSA Precheck and Global Entry programmes, which identify “trusted” travellers in advance of their arrival at the airport and help speed passage through security checkpoints. He also pledged to support new innovations, like CT scanners, which help make screening of bags and passengers more efficient.

“The need to refresh the technology at the checkpoints is critical,” Pekoske said. “I will use whatever influence I have as administrator to push that.”

tsa.gov