CT Scanners at Jackson Airport and Easier Carry-On Screening

Carry-on screening is slowly modernizing as computed tomography (CT) scanners replace older two-dimensional X-ray tunnels at more U.S. airports. In September 2024, the Transportation Security Administration announced a phased installation of CT units at Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) in Mississippi. For travelers who curate travel-size beauty kits, the upgrade matters less because liquids suddenly became unlimited and more because the checkpoint experience can be smoother when you no longer need to unpack a laptop and a quart bag every time—provided you are in a CT-equipped lane and your items already comply with the 3-1-1 rule.

What TSA installed at JAN

TSA said it began installing state-of-the-art CT scanners in both checkpoints at JAN, starting with the West Checkpoint and following with additional units on a staggered schedule into October. The phased approach was designed to limit operational disruption, though passengers using affected lanes were advised to allow extra time while construction finished. Once active, each CT unit generates a three-dimensional image of bag contents, which TSA says helps officers detect explosives while reducing unnecessary bag searches.

According to the agency, the algorithm behind CT imaging lets officers rotate the scan on screen, improving their ability to see layered items that might hide behind electronics or dense toiletry pouches. That is particularly relevant when a quart bag sits beside a hard-shell case of makeup brushes or a flat iron pouch.

What you can leave inside your bag

The headline convenience for passengers is that CT lanes allow travelers to leave laptops and other electronics larger than a cell phone inside carry-ons, along with 3-1-1 liquids, instead of presenting them in separate bins. TSA noted that the tunnel opening on CT machines is slightly smaller than on legacy units, so oversized roller bags or rigid beauty cases may still need repositioning. Officers asked travelers not to force items through; assistance is available at the lane.

Another operational detail: every carry-on, including suitcases, must be placed inside a bin for screening on CT systems. That can change how you stack a soft cosmetics pouch versus a structured train case. Planning a bin-friendly layout—quart bag on top, cables tucked beside shoes—speeds the process for everyone behind you.

What did not change nationally

CT technology improves imaging; it does not repeal the liquids rule. Containers still must be 3.4 ounces or less, and all compliant liquids still belong in one quart-sized bag unless they qualify for medical exceptions. Passengers who misunderstand CT as permission for full-size shampoo will still face bag checks or surrender items at the checkpoint.

TSA’s own press materials paired CT rollout language with reminders about sunscreen and alcohol over 3.4 ounces needing checked baggage. That pairing is intentional. Airport-by-airport scanner upgrades are not the same as a federal policy change, and travelers should continue buying travel-friendly sizes for cabin bags.

Why beauty travelers should care

Frequent flyers often optimize two bags: a quart pouch for lane screening and a larger organizer for destination use. CT lanes reward passengers who keep the quart pouch inside the carry-on yet easy to inspect if an officer needs a closer look. Leak-proof caps and transparent pouches still matter because a spill can obscure the scan and trigger a manual search.

If you connect through Jackson on a domestic itinerary, knowing which checkpoint has active CT units helps set expectations. During installation windows, lane closures can funnel everyone through legacy equipment, restoring the old unpack routine temporarily. Checking airport social channels or arriving early during construction periods reduces stress.

Comparing CT to traditional screening

On older machines, removing electronics and liquids was partly about image clarity. CT’s volumetric view reduces that need when the machine is fully operational. Officers retain discretion: any item that alarms or cannot be cleared virtually will still be inspected by hand. That includes questionable liquids, dense powders, or cluttered bags where toiletries obscure batteries.

Travel-size products help here because they produce predictable shapes on scans and fit within the quart bag TSA officers recognize instantly. Full-size bottles, even when allowed in checked luggage, should not be mixed into a carry-on hoping CT will “see through” the volume limit.

Practical packing takeaways

Treat CT as a time saver, not a rule changer. Build your kit from labeled 3-ounce-or-smaller containers, keep one quart bag dedicated to liquids, and leave room in the bin for your entire roller bag. If you must carry medically necessary liquids above the limit, declare them and expect additional screening—the CT lane does not waive documentation requirements.

As more airports like JAN receive CT units, the domestic travel experience may inch closer to the streamlined ideal PreCheck passengers already enjoy, but with better explosives detection for everyone. Until TSA announces a new nationwide liquids standard, travel-size beauty remains the smartest default for carry-ons—no matter how advanced the scanner at your gate.

If you are unsure whether your departure gate uses CT yet, arrive a few minutes early and watch the lane setup before joining the shortest line. Officers can redirect you when a CT unit is available, and asking politely beats repacking at the belt. Keep a mental inventory of what is in your quart bag so you can answer questions quickly if an image looks cluttered on screen.