The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is opening a new security checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
The new checkpoint, Checkpoint 1, is situated at the west end of the new terminal lobby. It consists of eight lanes to simultaneously screen passengers. This brings the total number of screening lanes at the airport to 21, all of which are linked to departure gates.
TSA Federal Security Director at CLT Beth Walker, said:We are thrilled to begin conducting security screening operations in Checkpoint 1. This new space provides TSA officers more room to carry out their security duties and the opportunity to work seamlessly and collaboratively across all eight lanes to best serve the travelling public.
Construction on the new checkpoint commenced in March 2023 as part of a 600 million USD Terminal Lobby Expansion project to increase the current terminal lobby space by 175,000 square feet. Further renovations will also take place dedicated to another 191,000 square feet, with the expansion expected to be completed within the next 24 months.
In addition to the new checkpoint, TSA will continue to operate its four-lane “C” checkpoint dedicated to TSA PreCheck as well as its four-lane “A” and five-lane “E” checkpoints.
The airport will also continue to use Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which automates the identity verification process of travellers. CAT also improves a TSA officer’s ability to authenticate photo ID whilst detecting fraudulent or counterfeit identification.
CLT’s Chief Operating Officer Jerome Woodard, said:The opening of Checkpoint 1 is a monumental achievement for the airport and will greatly enhance our ability to service the growing passenger traffic at CLT. The technology enhancements will provide for greater throughput in passenger screening, which allows for a more efficient checkpoint operation.
Passengers can look forward to an improved screening experience due to the open design of the checkpoint, which incorporates some of the industry’s best practices in checkpoint design.
Checkpoint 1 touts expanded queuing space for travellers, as well as 16 travel document checking podiums for TSA officials to conduct identity verification. It features six Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs), which are designed to improve the performance of the checkpoint by automating several functions that have previously been performed manually.
The ASL lanes include stainless steel stations for travellers to place carry-on property, screening bins that are 25% larger than standard screening lanes, automated conveyor belts, automatic diversions of carry-on property that may contain security threats and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags allowing for easier accountability for travellers’ possessions.
The new checkpoint is outfitted with four full-body scanners as well as a further four walk-through metal detectors. Body scanners utilise a harmless electromagnetic wave to scan a passenger and detect any objects that may be concealed within a traveller’s clothing or body.
TSA screened over 8.1 million travellers within the first nine months of 2023 at CLT, which is an 18% overall increase over the same period in 2022 and 12% over pre-pandemic numbers.
Checkpoint 1 is expected to begin use from Sunday 5 November.
