Countries and their airports around the world were told by the Trump administration to follow a certain diktat of security protocols or risk their airlines from being prohibited from entering the United States. Currently, the TSA also requires U.S. domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening. In the recent past, an electronics ban was put in place. It was then lifted in July. This could still be reinstated on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security per the regulations imposed.

However, that hasn’t put an end to the woes of international travelers. With a view to protect air travel and secure the borders of the US, more stringent security protocols are being implemented that will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,100 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries. From here on, all passengers on in-bound flights to the United States will be put through an additional round of screening in the form of one-to-one interviews aimed at identifying threats of hidden explosives onboard passengers in airlines headed to the United States.

What Should Passengers Expect with the New Airport Screenings?

• A short security interview with individual passengers at check-in or the boarding gate;
• Expected delays and longer flight processing times;
• Enhanced security checks will include individual inspections of all personal electronic devices;
• Some airlines will suspend in-town check-in and self-bag-drop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States;
• Travelers to plan an additional 90 minutes to their check-in and boarding times;
• Customers to show up earlier at the airports, advised at least a 3-hour plan-ahead time;
• Increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas resulting in lesser space for the passengers to walk around once they have been cleared by security;
• Anticipate some disruption in check-in and boarding process at a lot of international airports;
• Travelers to remain vigilant and be aware of safety concerns;

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