Donald Trump’s administration is trying to improve life for Americans. This latest action could be monumental in achieving that goal.
And the Trump admin is about to change air travel for good with this potential order.
TSA May Loosen Liquids Rule, Signals More Travel-Friendly Changes
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted at a potential overhaul of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) restrictive liquids, aerosols, and gels policy during a recent interview at the inaugural Hill Nation Summit.
Speaking with NewsNation’s chief Washington correspondent Blake Burman, Noem shared her proactive approach to rethinking TSA protocols. “The day I walked in the door, I started questioning everything TSA does,” she said.
“I will tell you, I mean, the liquids [rule] I am questioning. So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be. We’re looking at it.”
Current Restrictions and Potential Changes
Currently, TSA regulations limit carry-on luggage to containers holding 3.4 ounces or less of liquids, with exceptions for medications and infant formula.
Travelers needing to bring larger liquid containers must pack them in checked bags, adding an extra layer of inconvenience.
This potential shift follows last week’s announcement that the TSA has eliminated its long-standing requirement for passengers to remove shoes during security screenings. The policy, in place for over 20 years, was introduced after Al Qaeda operative Richard Reid attempted to bring explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami more than three months after 9/11.
Reflecting on the change, Noem asked her audience, “Did you all get to leave your shoes on? I always feel like I have to follow up and say, ‘OK, are they doing it?’”
Streamlining with Technology
Noem also revealed ambitions to streamline the airport experience further, leveraging advanced technology to make security checks faster and less intrusive:
“TSA is working on the technology that we have available to us, if we deploy it correctly, so that … if you’ve got a carry-on bag, you should be able just to walk through their screeners, their scanners, and go right to your flight,” she said. “Fingers crossed. We’re working on it.”
Aiming for Speed and Safety
Her vision includes slashing security wait times to roughly 60 seconds per passenger. To achieve this, Noem emphasized a “multi-layered screening process” designed to maintain safety while enhancing efficiency.
“We have put in place in TSA [a] multi-layered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security screening so it’s still a safe … process that is protecting people who are traveling on our airlines,” she explained.
“But it has to make sense. It has to actually do something to make you safer. I don’t think that was questioned under the Biden administration. I kept wondering if we were doing things just to slow people down.”
As Noem pushes for these traveler-friendly reforms, the TSA and DHS have yet to provide further details on the timeline or specifics of potential changes. For now, passengers can look forward to a future where airport security might feel less like an obstacle course and more like a seamless step toward their destination.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
