Expert Issues Warning to Travelers After TSA Changes

Over the past several years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been rolling out new and improved scanners at its airport security checkpoints. While this new technology helps improve both security and efficiency at the airport, it does change the airport experience.

As the TSA continues to roll out these new scanners, one expert warns that it's now more important than ever to make sure that your bag is the right size,

Passengers Liked to 'Stretch the Rules'

The standard carry-on size limit of 22″ x 14″ x 9″ has been in place for decades, but as Steven Walker of Simple Flying points out, the actual enforcement of this rule has been rather inconsistent, and travelers have been taking advantage of that.

"For years, carry-on size enforcement often depended on gate agents, airline staff, or occasional checks using luggage-sizing frames. Many passengers became accustomed to stretching the rules slightly, relying on soft-sided bags that exceeded official dimensions when fully packed," Walker wrote for the outlet this week. "The standard domestic carry-on limit used by most US airlines remains 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, and traditionally, enforcement could be inconsistent."

However, Walker warned that the passengers who have relied on this flexibility for their carry-on luggage size will likely find that this trick will no longer work with the new technology.

No Longer an Option

The new CT screening equipment is designed to improve security and efficiency at the airport, but it could pose an unexpected issue to those with luggage that's at, near, or above the sizing limit: it may simply not fit through the machine.

As Walker points out, the new scanners typically have slightly smaller entry tunnels than the older X-ray systems. That means that if your bag isn't the correct size, it might not be able to be scanned, which could result in delays and potentially having to pay an unexpected checked baggage fee.

"Because every carry-on must physically fit through the scanner, oversized luggage increasingly becomes a security checkpoint problem rather than a boarding gate problem," Walker wrote. "If a bag cannot enter the machine, screening cannot proceed, and security officers may direct travelers back to airline counters to check the luggage before they can continue toward their flights. In effect, the scanner itself becomes a measuring device."

So, before your next flight, make sure your carry-on is the correct size to avoid these potential delays and unexpected charges.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 6:08 AM.