United Airlines has become the first US-based carrier to feature state-of-the-art, automated screening lanes at multiple airports following the opening of its fully redesigned TSA Precheck security checkpoint in Terminal 1 (T1) at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Illinois.
United is also the first and only airline in the country to dedicate automated lanes to a TSA Precheck security checkpoint. The new lanes enable up to five travelers to fill their individual bins simultaneously and move through the screening process quicker, even if TSA agents need to perform additional screening on a passenger further up the queue. The lanes also utilize a parallel conveyor system that automatically returns empty bins to the front of the queue.
Greg Hart, executive vice president and chief operations officer at United Airlines, said, “As the first and only US-based airline to launch automated screening lanes in multiple airports, United continues its commitment to using the latest technology to meet the changing needs of our customers and improve the airport experience.”
Peter Neffenger, TSA administrator, said, “We are very appreciative of the ongoing collaboration between TSA and our industry partners such as United. Working together in our efforts to deploy effective, state-of-the-art technologies such as these automated lanes in T1 at O’Hare furthers TSA’s ability to fulfill its security mission while also enhancing the travel experience.”
The opening of the newly redesigned security checkpoint and screening lanes marks the latest step in United’s ongoing strategy to deploy the latest technologies. In October 2016, the airline launched automated screening lanes at its hub in Los Angeles International Airport in California, and a further 17 automated security lanes are scheduled to open at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, before the end of November.