Photo Credit: James Whatley

Travelers who have been hearing about developing security changes all winter long will finally see them unveiled this spring. The installments, which were stepped up after Christmas when a man brought explosives on board an NWA flight, are becoming more frequent and diverse, and the TSA hopes the procedures become less and less predictable.

The Obama administration has spent millions of dollars to heighten security routines that are already in place, but to also introduce new equipment and screening processes across the board. The most recent and controversial are the 44 full-image body scanners, currently in use at 21 airports in the United States as well as Europe.

Other security trials being utilized are swabs, which are Explosive Trace Detection machines that use cotton swabs on travelers’ hands and luggage to identify hazardous material. In addition, more security guards patrol boarding areas, with the portable detection machines.

Some airports offer a choice in security format, although the alternative may not always be better. USA Today reports that a passenger who refuses a 30-second full-image body scan may undergo a 2-4 minute pat-down by an official.  type of screening, and may be subject to all processes.

Aside from the new machinery and trials, the TSA ensures travelers that length of waiting times at the airport should not significantly increase, and that safety is the number one priority.