Houston holiday passengers will see new TSA rules and weapons
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Passengers traveling through Houston airports will deal with security changes.
On Tuesday, TSA laid out the new changes. Now, passengers must remove all electronics larger than a cell phone.
"That's any type of tablet, iPad, Kindle, e-reader," TSA officer Reinaldo Montero said.
It also includes any large cameras.
"I don't think it's fair," passenger Chris Cephus said. "It's a little too much for me, I believe."
"If it's necessary," passenger Tracy Glenn said. "It's a little bit of an inconvenience, but if it's for our safety, I think it's the best thing to do."
This holiday season, security at Houston airports isn't just increased at TSA.
For the first time, Houston police officers are carrying semi-automatic rifles.
"It seems kind of scary to me that we need that much security," Cephus said. "Is it that bad?"
HPD says officers will carry the weapons throughout the holidays because of the increase in passengers.
"We've been talking about them for years about having long guns in the airports, and this is the first time they've decided to deploy them," Houston Police Department Lt. David Acres said.
Security changes some passengers say are needed to give them peace of mind this holiday season.
"God, I think it's probably necessary in this day in age," Glenn said. "It doesn't make me comfortable, but I'm sure there is a reason for it."
Officers also suggest you take out food as you go through TSA. It's not required, but it could speed up the process.
