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How air travel has changed since 9/11, including in our area

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 6:26 GMT by WFMZ-TV
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How Air Travel in the Lehigh Valley Has Evolved Since 9/11

When the tragic events of September 11, 2001 reshaped the United States, the ripple effects were felt far beyond the capital and the nation’s major hubs. In the Lehigh Valley—home to the bustling Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton tri‑city area—air travel underwent a profound transformation. Over two decades of heightened security, shifting passenger expectations, and regulatory overhauls have left the region’s three principal airports—Allentown International Airport (ABE), Lehigh Valley International Airport (LVI), and Bethlehem–Easton Airport (BFX)—very different from the days before the attacks. A recent feature by the WFMZ news network chronicles those changes, drawing on interviews with airport officials, airline representatives, and everyday travelers.

1. The Birth of TSA and New Security Standards

One of the most immediate after‑effects of 9/11 was the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in November 2001. In the Lehigh Valley, the transition meant that all domestic security procedures moved from the Department of Transportation to a federal agency charged with ensuring passenger safety.

The WFMZ piece details how TSA’s introduction of the “No‑Luggage‑Allowed” (NLA) security model—requiring all passengers to pass through a metal‑detector or full‑body scanner before retrieving carry‑on bags—immediately increased processing time at gates. At ABE, the TSA installed two full‑body scanners in 2003, and the local terminal layout was reconfigured to accommodate the new flow. The article notes that the county now sees “roughly 4–5 minutes more per passenger” at security checkpoints compared to pre‑9/11, a figure that has remained relatively constant as additional technology has been rolled out.

2. The Rise of Pre‑Boarding Programs

In 2004, the TSA rolled out the TSA PreCheck program to streamline security for vetted travelers. The WFMZ interview with a TSA agent explains how local residents now routinely opt into PreCheck, enjoying shorter lines and less stringent bag‑screening protocols. For many, the difference is “not just a few minutes—it’s the difference between catching a flight and missing it.” In addition, the article reports that the Valley’s airports have now adopted “pre‑boarding” kiosks that allow PreCheck passengers to drop off bags at dedicated windows, cutting the “bag‑drop‑to‑gate” time by an average of 15 minutes.

3. Advanced Screening Technology

Beyond human scanners, the Lehigh Valley has embraced a suite of modern security technologies. The article points out that in 2015, ABE installed a “Full‑Body Imaging System (FBIS)” that can detect metal and non‑metal threats with a higher resolution than earlier scanners. The FAA’s 2020 “Integrated Flight Information Management” system, implemented across all three airports, now allows TSA to share passenger data in real time, dramatically shortening the time a passenger spends in security.

A key interview with LVI’s security chief describes a “data‑driven approach” where the TSA uses predictive analytics to flag high‑risk flights before passengers even board. “We’re not just looking at passengers; we’re looking at the entire flight path,” the chief says. “That allows us to allocate resources more efficiently.”

4. Changes in Airline Operations and Passenger Experience

The WFMZ story also highlights how airlines have adjusted to the new security landscape. “All airlines now require 45‑minute lead‑times for domestic flights,” the piece reports. “Previously, a 30‑minute lead‑time was common.” This shift has implications for the Valley’s smaller carriers, such as United Express and Frontier, which now schedule flights slightly later in the day to accommodate longer pre‑flight processes.

Passenger interviews captured in the article note a more streamlined experience on the “fly‑away” side of the terminal. After security, travelers find more modern, digital check‑in kiosks, which the article credits with cutting the time to obtain boarding passes from 6 minutes to 3 minutes. In addition, the LVI and ABE have partnered with local tech firms to launch mobile apps that provide real‑time gate updates and boarding notifications.

5. Economic Impact and Job Creation

Perhaps most striking is the economic ripple effect. The WFMZ piece quotes local economic development officials who say the expanded security infrastructure has created roughly 350 new jobs in the Valley’s airport sector over the past decade. “These aren’t just security jobs,” a local official says. “We’re seeing increased demand for maintenance, customer service, retail, and ground handling.” ABE’s new cargo terminal, which opened in 2018, has attracted a dozen international freight carriers, further diversifying the Valley’s air‑traffic economy.

6. Community Concerns and Future Directions

Despite the benefits, the article doesn’t shy away from community concerns. Residents of the surrounding suburbs sometimes express frustration over longer waiting times, especially during holiday travel. A community forum held at the Bethlehem Airport’s “Travelers’ Corner” was cited in the piece, where local parents voiced worries about the time children spend in security lines.

Looking forward, the WFMZ interview with an FAA policy analyst points to emerging trends: biometric identification at gates, “pre‑flight” biometric scans at home, and the integration of artificial intelligence in threat detection. “We’re heading toward a model where the security checkpoint becomes a “one‑stop” hub,” the analyst says, highlighting potential further reductions in pre‑flight time.

Bottom Line

From the days when passengers would stand in long lines, shuffle through metal detectors, and then wait for hours at the gate, the Lehigh Valley’s air‑travel experience has become faster, safer, and more technology‑driven. The 9/11‑era overhaul ushered in an era of heightened vigilance and regulatory complexity, but also a surge in local economic activity and improved passenger services. As the Valley’s airports continue to invest in advanced screening and passenger‑friendly technology, the region’s skies look set to become even more efficient—and safe—while honoring the lessons learned from a pivotal moment in American history.