U.S. Congress streamlines baggage rules

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― U.S. lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday allowing officials to waive baggage re-screening requirements for international passengers arriving in the United States.

All passengers arriving at U.S. airports currently must have their checked baggage re-screened if they are flying on to another domestic destination, in a process that leads many travelers to miss their connecting flights.

The “No-Hassle Flying Act” gives authority to the Transportation Security Administration to waive the re-screening of baggage that arrives from foreign airports that use US-equivalent baggage screening systems.

The new rules would first go into effect at 15 airports in Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean, which already use facilities pre-cleared by U.S. authorities.

The U.S. Senate passed the bill last month, and it now moves to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.