Washington Wire: TSA Tripling Number of Passenger X-Rays in Use

By Patty Donmoyer / July 20, 2008

Business travelers are more likely to encounter imaging machines that can detect explosives under clothing next year as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration triples the number deployed at U.S. airports. TSA said July 15 that it would purchase 80 new Passenger Imager Machines over the next year, bringing the total number in use to 120. The machines, which use X-rays to show an outline of the passenger's body, replace the need for additional screening by officers using hand-held metal detectors. Separately, TSA also will buy 300 new advanced X-ray devices used to screen carry-on luggage, bringing the total number in use to 900. The agency is also deploying new Bottled Liquid Scanners that ensure sealed containers don't hold hazardous materials. "This major step up in technology, coupled with our enhanced security training for our officers, will elevate security across the board," said TSA administrator Kip Hawley. The Passenger Imager Machines will be deployed at Atlanta, Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Indianapolis, New York LaGuardia, Newark, San Juan, San Francisco and Tampa. They are already in use at Albuquerque, Baltimore-Washington, Dallas/Fort-Worth, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Phoenix and Washington's Dulles and National.

FAA Finalizes Fuel-Tank Rule for Airlines
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration finalized rules requiring U.S. airlines to modify fuel tanks to minimize the risk of explosions like the one responsible for the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800. The move, after four years spent crafting the regulations, was completed over the objections of U.S. airlines and manufacturer Airbus because of concerns that retrofitting planes built after 1991 would cost too much. The Air Transport Association estimates it would cost airlines $1.2 billion over the next 49 years, or about $400 million more than official estimates. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters called the rules a "memorial" to the 230 victims of Flight 800.