New questions, searches greet travelers to U.S.

CHICAGO — Some were asked their hobbies and packing habits. Others were queried about what they do for a living. There were lines for security interviews and searches of carry-on bags.

The first passengers to travel under new screening measures for U.S.-bound flights were greeted at airports around the world with a wide range of hurdles — some new, some familiar — to clear before boarding their planes.

The Trump administration is requiring that both U.S. and global air carriers adopt enhanced security screening for every flight to the U.S. All travelers — American citizens and foreigners — are subject to the new protocols, which went into effect Thursday.

The new procedures cover all 2,100 flights from around the world entering the U.S. But how each airline implements the measures varies, and some of the procedures have been in place before in parts oftheworld.

There were few reports of major disruptions to global travel. Confusion, however, remains about the new regulations, with airlines describing different methods of implementation and some saying they had were granted permission to delay putting them in place.

At Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, long-haul carrier Emirates began questioning passengers about their luggage, liquids they were carrying and where they were coming from. Passengers also had to have their carry-on bags searched, along with their electronics.

Singapore Airlines passengers