TSA begins screening more electronics separate from luggage

Passenger wait in a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport Wednesday, June 1, 2016, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) Passenger wait in a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport Wednesday, June 1, 2016, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle Photo: James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close TSA begins screening more electronics separate from luggage 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

The Transportation Security Administration is taking a closer look at almost all electronics you take on a plane.

The agency will require travelers to remove from their luggage anything larger than a cell phone before it is scanned by X-ray machines. That means items such as tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles will be scrutinized just as laptops have been for years.

The added security measure will begin at all U.S. airports during the coming months after it was tested at 10 airports, the agency said Wednesday.

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"It is critical for TSA to constantly enhance and adjust security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats and keep passengers safe," TSA Acting Administrator Huban A. Gowadia said in a news release. "By separating personal electronic items such as laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles for screening, TSA officers can more closely focus on resolving alarms and stopping terror threats."

The stronger security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck. TSA created the PreCheck program in 2011, allowing approved travelers to avoid certain security measures such as taking off shoes and removing laptops from luggage.