Expect shorter wait times next time you fly out of CVG

This will help elevate wait times at security checkpoints

HEBRON, Ky. - If you’re planning on flying out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport soon, getting through security will look a little different. New technology installed at the security checkpoint will eventually lead to shorter wait times.

As the travel season for the summer picks up, you can expect even more people at the airport.

“We’ve been seeing pre-pandemic numbers since spring, to the tune of 85 to 95 percent during our peak travel days,” said Tom Bechtol, acting federal security director, Commonwealth of Kentucky TSA.

Computed tomography (CT) screening technology is now installed at every security lane at CVG.

Passengers are permitted to leave electronics and liquids inside their bags. They previously would have to take those out.

Checkpoint CT technology results in fewer bag checks, which helps bring down wait times.

“Ultimately the equipment will improve not only efficiency but our detection capabilities and that's what we're most proud of,” Bechtol said.

Travelers will still have to take their shoes off unless they have TSA Pre check.

Yosef Kirschner was traveling to Boston with his family Wednesday morning. He calls the process a breeze.

“We put our bags in the machine, went right through. And I have a kid here so it makes life a lot easier to have a fast and easy process for getting through security."

CVG was one of the first airports to pilot the technology.

In late summer of 2018, CVG piloted one CT machine. It has since expanded to cover the whole checkpoint. Training is ongoing.

"The use of this is really the way forward for TSA,” Mark Howell, TSA regional spokesperson said. “It gives us the ability to look at things 360 degrees layer by layer in a bag. They use that obviously in hospitals to diagnose things, we use it as a security function here to look for potential threats inside of bags.”

Airport officials still advise getting to the airport two hours before your flight.

“This is really the new norm for TSA,” Howell said. “You'll see these across the country, especially at the larger airports but they'll continue to roll out as time goes on.”