I just tried the TSA's new e-gates: Here's what it was like

Are you curious about what the future of airport security might look like? A visit to one of the busiest airports on the East Coast offers a sneak peek at one possibility.Earlier this summer, the Transportation Security Administration began trialing new "e-gates" at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).And this week, I had the chance to try out the automated process for the first time.What are TSA e-gates?The new TSA process is the first of its kind at a U.S. security checkpoint.Instead of human officers checking your ID, it's all self-service: You scan it yourself, and the machine takes your photo. Then, the electronic gates open up to let you through.If all goes well here, it's possible this could be a model for other airports in the future.How do the TSA's new e-gates work?The TSA's e-gates are available across eight lanes at CLT's Security Checkpoint 2.SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUYTo use the higher-tech lanes, you have to be a TSA PreCheck member. Beyond that, you don't have to register for special access or go to a special line.What is it like going through TSA e-gates?As I approached the security area, I thought the setup looked very similar to security concepts you'll ...