New TSA procedures at 10 test airports require travelers to remove extra items from their bags for separate screening because of the growing amount of "clutter" that fliers are stuffing in their carry-ons.
The agency said on Wednesday the new protocol will make it easier for TSA agents to detect signs of explosives, according to NBC News.
"It becomes a real challenge, because the more things you put in the bag, the harder it is for them to discern what is a threat and what's not a threat," said John Halinksi, a former TSA deputy administrator.
Laptops are already a part of the separate screening process, but now passengers will be required to remove any devices considered bigger than a cellphone for additional screening purposes.
"TSA officers may also advise travelers to place other carry-on items separately in a bin," said Darby LaJoye, TSA's assistant administrator for security operations.
Those "other carry-on items" include things like food and books.
This comes as airports worldwide continue to look for ways to improve security to avoid future terrorist attacks at airports and on flights, according to The New York Times.
In March, U.S. and British officials announced that any electronic devices bigger than the average smartphone would be banned from being brought aboard certain flights after it was learned that some of these devices could be used as potential bombs.
Here are the 10 airports currently testing the new procedures:
Boise (Idaho) Airport
Colorado Springs Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (Florida) International Airport
Logan International Airport in Boston
Los Angeles International Airport
Lubbock (Texas) Preston Smith International Airport
Luis Muñoz MarĂn International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
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