When I arrived at the airport to travel from Atlanta to Denver as a passenger on an airplane operated by Delta Air Lines for my first flight since the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic began, I had to first go through the security checkpoint like every other passenger — but how different will the process be from what I expected in the past?
My Experiences of Passing Through Airport Security Checkpoints During a Pandemic
The queue seemed to be really long when I arrived at the main security checkpoint — but then, an agent of the Transportation Security Administration directed those of us in a certain point in the line to proceed to a different security checkpoint.
The stanchions for the queues seemed to be positioned the same as always; but passengers were directed by the ribbons on the stanchions to queue around every other aisle to encourage remaining distanced from each other — this gave the impression that the line was longer that it really was and therefore faster — plus, round stickers which were adhered to the floor gave markers as to where to stand in order to remain six feet apart.
Then — at a certain point in the queue — passengers were instructed to stop until directed by an agent of the Transportation Security Administration to proceed, two passengers at a time, side by side. One passenger could not walk ahead of the other — they were required to walk at the same pace.
As each pair of passengers proceeded, another agent of the Transportation Security Administration had a dog follow along with them. I was not sure at the time as to whether the purpose of the dog was to alert the detection of the possibility of a passenger who was infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus — or to detect drugs or other potentially illegal paraphernalia — but I had never seen this particular procedure before.
Prior to arriving at the area where baggage is screened, I was stopped for a check of my official identification.
“Can you lower your mask for a moment?” the agent of the Transportation Security Administration asked me. I complied so that he could ensure that the identification I presented was confirmed to be mine.
I then placed my belongings onto the conveyor belt. I asked an agent of the Transportation Security Administration if I had to take my laptop computer out.
“Did anyone ask you to take your computer out?!?” she replied in a rude manner.
Despite the unnecessary attitude, I was happy to see that I was going through an older metal detecting device and not the L3 millimeter wave scanning device through which one has to stand with hands over his or her head — which meant not having to remove shoes and other fewer restrictions.
The Return Flight
At Denver International Airport for the return flight — which was an overnight flight, so the security checkpoint area was not crowded — and the process was generally the same; but without the addition of the canine detection procedure.
Prior to arriving at the area where baggage is screened, I was stopped for a check of my official identification.
“Can you lower your mask for a moment?” the agent of the Transportation Security Administration asked me. As I complied so that he could ensure that the identification I presented was confirmed to be mine, I asked as I smiled to let him know that I was engaging in a little bit of levity, “Can I lower it for longer than a moment?”
“Hey — to be honest with you, that’d be okay with me,” he replied. “I have no problem with people not wearing masks.” After a short friendly conversation, he wished me a safe trip; and I wished him a good evening.
Unlike for my origination flight, I did have to go through the aforementioned L3 millimeter wave scanning device — and for some reason, it detected something on my left arm?!? An agent of the Transportation Security Administration gave my left arm a quick pat down before allowing me to proceed…
…but many passengers had their bags detected and put to the side for further inspection — and the wait times for them were as long as an additional 20 minutes. I noticed that one bag was being inspected simply for having a plastic box of moist wipes.
I have no idea how my extra set of disposable blue booties — which I wear through the security checkpoint after removing my shoes from my feet — suddenly and inexplicably wound up missing. Despite the cursory look from a reluctant agent of the Transportation Security Administration, the booties were never recovered.
Summary
The procedures at the security checkpoints in the international airports which serve both the Atlanta and Denver metropolitan areas do not seem to be all that different than prior to the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic — but I do like the distancing aspect, as the queues do not feel as crowded as they typically did prior to the pandemic. I never liked when the person behind me would not respect my personal space and sidle up behind me — nor did I like those who coughed, yawned, or sneezed without covering their mouths in some manner.
Of course, masks or coverings for the nose and mouth must be worn by everyone in both airports at all times except when eating or drinking — and signs advise that one considers eating or drinking in a part of the airport which is not crowded.
All photographs ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
