Since the events of 9/11, security has been a festering sore spot in travel. The romance and nostalgic glamor of travel was swiftly replaced by long lines, invasive searches and fuming passengers.
There may be a light at the end of this never-ending security tunnel, as innovation has finally made its way into the security screening process.
Dallas' DFW's test screening experience
Whoever thought up the anti-septic, jail-like atmosphere of the TSA experience was completely oblivious to the fact that atmosphere plays a significant role in everyday experience. By improving the overall atmosphere of the airport screening experience in America, the government agency has the opportunity to reduce tempers and make an inevitable part of modern-day travel more palatable to passengers.
The DFW airport in Dallas, Texas has finally offered up a vision of what this could look like. In partnership with Springhill Suites (a Marriott brand, which itself has been focusing on innovating the travel experience) and SecurityPoint Media, the TSA is calling this the Next Level Experience - and it most certainly resembles something heaven-like, from beyond the realm of typical travel reality.
Travelers are greeted with lounge seating at the beginning of security, with an actual, comfortable place to put their shoes back on and get their things together after going through the TSA check.
Ken Buchanan, executive vice president of revenue management at DFW Airport:
“Airports want to deliver a positive experience for passengers from the moment they step out of their car all the way to the boarding door, and screening checkpoints are a major part of that passenger experience. We want to lead the way in making passenger screening a positive encounter, while maintaining the highest levels of security."
This is a fine change from the shoes-in-hand scramble to find a place to re-compose. Of course, TSA Pre-Check is attempting to transition more screenings to the expedited lane; however, this simple innovation - that of making the experience comfortable and not aggressively institutional - is very welcome in the passenger experience.
Qylur's new integrated self-service security kiosk
Founded in 2005, Qylur Security Systems has just released their first full-scale product: a self-service security kiosk that integrates all elements of a security screening experience.
While the look is a bit more playful and approachable than expected - certainly not much intimidating here, except for maybe figuring how what the heck it is - the idea is welcome. Rather than hiring security staff, and undergoing invasive pat-downs, these sorts of kiosks are fantastic options for areas in need of increased security - festivals, special events and ultimately a version that works for the more stringent regulations of transportation.
So far, prototypes of the "Qylatron" have been tested at Liberty State Park, the Rio de Janeiro airport, and at a US stadium. The results are promising, especially given the public's reaction to the current state of the security screening process at various venues:
The technology is still in the initial phases, but especially given recent events like the one at LAX, security shows no signs of disappearing from the public consciousness where large numbers of humans congregate.
Founder and CEO Dr. Lisa Dolev is bullish when it comes to the growing market for self-service security technologies. Here she is speaking in a recent interview:
Regardless of which company wins this space as a first-mover, or if competing technologies will co-exist, the public is clearly both fed up with the current invasiveness of security procedures and wary of those few who want to do immense harm to others. Newly-minted technology should quickly fill the competing demands of modern security, and will accelerate swiftly in the coming years.