In an effort to protect staff and benefit travelers during the Covid-19 pandemic, TSA has sped up the deployment of 3-D screening systems and automated ID authentication scanners to reduce the physical touch points at airport screening. The accuracy of the 3-D scanners lessens the need for bags to be checked manually by TSA agents and allows passengers to leave their laptops/electronics in their bags. Both of the above help reduce interaction between agents and flyers. As of December 7th, 2020, 267 systems were deployed at 130 airports.
The ID authentication scanners “confirm the authenticity of a passenger's driver's license, passport or other ID and also confirm that the person on the ID is slated to fly that day”, according to TSA. An agent still must verify that the traveler is the rightful owner of the ticket/ID with a face check. An ID authentication system that utilizes a biometric camera is being tested to verify the passenger is the person pictured in the ID. As of December 4th, 2020, 834 systems have been installed at 115 airports.