Overview
- The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks led Congress to federalize screening and create the Transportation Security Administration, which then drove immediate changes such as reinforced cockpit doors, expanded air marshals, and universal checked‑baggage screening.
- Several everyday rules trace to later incidents: the 100 ml liquids limit followed a 2006 British plot, full‑body scanners were accelerated after the 2009 underwear‑bomber attempt, and biometric face‑matching began testing around 2017.
- In a recent policy shift, the Department of Homeland Security allowed travelers to keep shoes on in 2025 and the TSA launched a free 'Gateside' pilot that lets approved travelers apply one to three days ahead to enter secure gate areas at 13 U.S. airports.
- Debates over private screening models continue after TSA canceled the Gold+ plan and proposed a new Screening Partnership Program, and lawmakers’ diversion of the 9/11 security fee plus recent political funding standoffs have been blamed for staffing shortfalls and long checkpoint waits this year.
- Security officials and industry experts warn that the next wave of risks—cyber intrusions, AI‑enabled attacks, and drones—will demand different standards, procurement and sustained funding if modernization is to improve both speed and safety.