New CT Scanners at TSA Checkpoints: Why You Can Finally Leave Your Laptop in Your Bag

Airport security lines are notoriously stressful. You usually have to juggle your shoes, pull out your heavy laptop, and frantically fish around for your clear bag of liquids. Fortunately, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is fixing this headache. Advanced 3D Computed Tomography (CT) scanners are rolling out to airports nationwide, allowing you to leave your electronics and liquids securely packed inside your carry-on bag.

The End of the Security Line Shuffle

For over a decade, travelers in standard security lanes have followed a strict routine. You had to remove large electronics and liquids from your bag and place them in separate plastic bins. This process slowed down the line and increased the chances of leaving an expensive tablet or laptop behind.

With the deployment of new CT scanners, this annoying routine is fading away. If you walk into a lane equipped with one of these sleek new machines, the TSA officer will instruct you to leave your laptop, gaming console, e-reader, and quart-sized bag of liquids right where they are. You simply place your entire carry-on bag into a bin, push it onto the conveyor belt, and walk through the metal detector or body scanner.

This update brings a massive level of convenience to standard travelers. Previously, only passengers paying for TSA PreCheck enjoyed the luxury of leaving laptops inside their luggage. Now, thanks to upgraded technology, this perk is becoming the standard across the board.

How CT Technology Actually Works

The old X-ray machines you are used to seeing at airports only provide a flat, two-dimensional image. If you packed a laptop right next to a dense book and a tangled mess of charger cords, the 2D image became a cluttered dark spot. When TSA officers could not see through the clutter, they had to pull your bag aside and manually search it.

Computed Tomography changes the entire process. This is the exact same medical-grade technology used in hospitals. As your bag moves through the tunnel of a CT scanner, an X-ray camera spins around the conveyor belt. It shoots hundreds of images per second from every possible angle.

A sophisticated computer algorithm takes all these images and builds a highly detailed 3D model of your bag’s contents. The TSA officer sitting at the monitor can then use a touchscreen to rotate your bag 360 degrees. They can zoom in, slice the image to see different layers, and inspect dense objects from any angle. The TSA refers to this as “digital unpacking.” Because the officer can get a perfect view of your laptop and liquids on the screen, there is no need for you to unpack them in the physical world.

Where Can You Find These New Scanners?

The TSA is currently in the middle of a massive nationwide upgrade. In 2022 and 2023, the agency awarded multiple contracts worth over $1 billion to top security manufacturers. Companies like Analogic, Smiths Detection, and Leidos are building and installing these multi-million dollar systems.

You will already find these CT scanners operating at major international hubs. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International (LAX), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) have installed dozens of these units. However, the rollout is not limited to the big cities. The TSA is also prioritizing smaller regional airports. Airports like Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho and Colorado Springs Airport (COS) are actively using this technology right now.

The TSA plans to deploy over 1,000 of these CT systems by the end of 2024. Because these machines weigh substantially more than older X-ray units, some airports actually have to reinforce their floors before installation can begin.

The Rules Have Changed, but Not the Liquid Limit

While the new machines let you keep liquids inside your bag, you must remember that the actual liquid limits have not changed. The TSA still rigidly enforces the 3-1-1 rule.

Every liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste you bring in a carry-on must be in a container holding 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. All of those small containers must fit perfectly into one single quart-sized, clear plastic bag. You are still limited to one quart-sized bag per passenger.

If you try to pack a full-size bottle of shampoo or a 16-ounce bottle of water, the CT scanner will immediately flag it. The officer will then have to open your bag and throw the oversized item in the trash. The only difference the CT scanner provides is that your properly packed, 3.4-ounce liquids can stay zipped away in your luggage instead of sitting exposed in a bin.

A Warning for Analog Film Photographers

While these scanners are incredibly convenient for the average traveler, they pose a major threat to analog photographers.

Older 2D X-ray machines were generally safe for camera film with an ISO under 800. The new CT scanners are entirely different. The intense 3D X-rays will instantly fog and destroy undeveloped camera film. If you are traveling with rolls of Kodak Portra, Fujifilm, or disposable cameras, you must never put them through a CT scanner.

Instead, place all your undeveloped film in a clear plastic bag. When you reach the front of the security line, hand the bag directly to a TSA officer and request a manual hand inspection. They are fully trained to accommodate this request and will test the film for explosives using a swab instead of sending it through the machine.

The Future of Airport Security

The shift to CT technology represents a major leap forward for travel efficiency. These scanners significantly reduce the number of false alarms. When officers do not have to stop the belt to manually dig through backpacks, the entire line moves faster.

Many of these new scanners are also paired with Automated Screening Lanes. These modern lanes feature larger bins and allow up to four passengers to load their items at the same time. Once your bin clears the scanner, the automated system magically routes the empty bin back to the start of the line.

Next time you approach an airport security checkpoint, look at the machine. If it is large, bright white, and features a spinning mechanism inside the tunnel, you are likely looking at a new CT scanner. You can breathe a sigh of relief, leave your electronics packed tight, and get to your departure gate with time to spare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need to take off my shoes in a standard lane with a CT scanner? Yes. While CT scanners allow you to leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, the rules for your clothing remain the same. Passengers in standard security lanes must still remove their shoes, jackets, and bulky belts before walking through the body scanner.

Does this change anything for TSA PreCheck members? If you have TSA PreCheck, you already enjoy the benefit of leaving your electronics and liquids in your bag. The arrival of CT scanners simply improves the safety and speed of the lane. PreCheck members also keep their shoes and light jackets on.

Can I leave my CPAP machine inside its carrying case? Yes. Medical devices like CPAP machines can remain completely packed inside their bags when passing through a new CT scanner. The 3D imaging allows officers to verify the components of the machine without taking it apart.