Senator Carper Commends Opening of First Innovation Lane Security Checkpoint

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the launch of the first Innovation Lane security checkpoint at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Innovation Lane, a joint effort by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and Delta Air Lines, uses state-of-the-art security screening equipment in an effort to streamline security screening and move passengers through checkpoints efficiently. Last week, TSA’s Innovation Task Force (ITF) released a call for industry submissions of innovative technologies which would allow airports around the country to participate in similar pilots to improve passenger experience at the checkpoint.

“As more and more people take to the air to travel, government agencies and private entities must work together to screen passengers efficiently without compromising safety and security. I’m pleased that TSA has joined together with Delta Air Lines to develop and test an innovative solution to quickly move passengers and their belongings through security and to their destinations. This partnership between Delta and TSA’s Innovation Task Force in Atlanta could—and should—serve as a model for other airports across the country as one of many smart solutions that could make flights more secure while also making the screening process less of a burden for passengers, airlines and airports. It’s my sincere hope that TSA, commercial airlines and airports will work hard to strengthen their partnerships and seize any opportunities they may have to innovate and re-think how we move passengers through our airports safely and smoothly.”