What is "positive passenger bag matching"?

What is "positive passenger bag matching"?

Nico Melendez (TSA Regional Spokesperson) gives expert video advice on: What is "electronic explosive detection technology"?; What is "positive passenger bag matching"?; In what ways has the screening of checked baggage changed since 9/11? and more...

Positive passenger bag matching was an interim solution to screening for explosives. Congress required the TSA to implement Positive passenger bag matching in February of 2002 until December 31st of 2002 when we began screening bags using technology. Essentially what it called for was if a passenger is on the plane, so too was that passenger's bag. If the bag was on the plane but the the passenger wasn't, the bag would be pulled off the plane. So the positive passenger bag matching was really obvious stuff. On December 31st of 2002, we began screening all bags using technology. The requirement of Positive passenger bag matching went away.