Carry-on Baggage Screening Here's what to expect when taking your carry-on bag through security screening next time you fly. You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.

Hand luggage is checked through a multi-layered security process at the airport, primarily using X-ray technology and manual inspection. As you place your bag on the conveyor belt, it passes through an X-ray machine that allows a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer to view a color-coded image of the contents; organic materials (like food or explosives) often appear orange, while metals appear blue or black. In many modern airports in 2026, newer CT (Computed Tomography) scanners are being used, which create a 3D image and allow you to leave liquids and electronics inside your bag. If the scanner identifies a "high-density" or suspicious object, the bag is pulled aside for a "secondary search," where an officer will manually open it. They may also use "Explosive Trace Detection" (ETD) swabs, which involve wiping the inside or outside of the bag with a small cloth and placing it in a machine that detects microscopic particles of explosive chemicals. This rigorous process ensures that prohibited items, from large liquids to concealed weapons, do not enter the aircraft cabin.