The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is currently evaluating a proposal that could soon allow TSA PreCheck passengers to carry full water bottles through airport security checkpoints. Senior agency officials confirmed on Wednesday that the initiative is under active consideration, with plans to test the policy at a select number of U.S. airports in the coming months.
This potential shift in security protocol relies on the deployment of advanced CT scanning technology. These modern systems feature automated detection capabilities sophisticated enough to distinguish water from other substances and identify potential security threats. However, officials have not yet disclosed which specific airports will be selected for this initial rollout. The agency noted that it currently lacks the necessary funding and widespread equipment infrastructure to implement this change on a national scale.
Despite this development, the TSA emphasized that it is not prepared to abandon its broader liquid restrictions. The standard “3-1-1” rule remains firmly in effect, requiring that most carry-on liquids be stored in containers of 3.4 ounces or less. This policy continues to apply to all passengers, including those enrolled in the PreCheck program.
The announcement follows the recent launch of the “Gateside by TSA” program, which permits approved PreCheck members to access gate areas at 13 airports even without a flight ticket. The agency plans to expand this program further once it completes an evaluation of passenger volume and operational impacts. PreCheck itself remains a government-run service that offers expedited screening, which the TSA estimates typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Membership in the PreCheck program requires a security background check and costs $85 or less for a five-year term, with fees varying based on the authorized enrollment provider. As the agency navigates these security updates, it continues to manage various operational challenges, including recent reports regarding the status of the Hegseth leak investigation and the implementation of retaliatory tariffs by Canada on $20 billion in U.S. goods. The report also notes that the officials did not say what specific airports may be included in the new program.
