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New TSA security change could force passengers to check their carry-on bags
Flying can be stressful when you need to check a bag, but passengers trying to get away with just packing a carry-on could soon find themselves at the baggage carousel anyway.
The issue stems from TSA’s expanding use of CT scanners and it’s created a problem for certain bags: the machines have smaller openings than older X-ray scanners.
A TSA spokesperson told FOX 13 that bags unable to fit through a scanner may have to be checked with the airline.
Why some carry-on bags may need to be checked
TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez confirmed that the CT scanners have smaller openings than the equipment they replace. While passengers may have been able to get away with using a bigger bag as a carry-on before, these new machines won’t let you do that.
“This design is necessary to accommodate the advanced imaging technology and ensure optimal performance,” he told FOX 13. “TSA officers are available to assist travelers with larger items or special needs to help ensure a smooth screening process.”
A bag that meets an airline’s size rules should fit, according to The Independent. An oversized suitcase or an expandable bag packed beyond its usual dimensions is more likely to cause trouble. Travelers whose bags do not fit may have to return to the airline’s ticket counter to check them.
Velez advised passengers to check their airline’s dimensions before flying and avoid overpacking outer compartments. At a CT checkpoint, bags must also lie flat inside a screening bin.
The scanners offer one benefit for travelers whose bags do fit. Their three-dimensional images let officers inspect the contents without opening as many bags. Passengers can also leave laptops, tablets, and travel-sized liquids packed when using a CT lane, while following instructions from officers at the checkpoint.
The carry-on snag follows another change to the airport routine after the TSA ended its general shoes-off requirement in 2025.
Meanwhile, the TSA has also been supporting passengers’ comfort in other ways, such as encouraging the use of hammocks at airports.
Source
- dexerto.com (2026-09-24) - Original article: New TSA security change could force passengers to check their carry-on bags - Dexerto - https://dexerto.com/entertainment/new-tsa-security-change-could-force-passengers-to-check-their-carry-on-bags-3412146