Slower Lines To Reduce Pressure For Infrequent Fliers

Frequent fliers are well-schooled in the TSA screening drill at airports. But during the holiday season, airports are suddenly flooded with family vacationers unfamiliar with the routine.

In an expansion of a successful experiment started earlier this year by a handful of airports, the Transportation Security Administration will open "family lanes" at airports nationwide by Thanksgiving, allowing families to move at their own pace, helped in some locations by assistants on hand to explain the screening process.

USA Today reports the new lanes will open at 533 TSA checkpoints and large and midsize airports nationwide by November 20, in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. But this is no seasonal program. TSA plans to make family lanes permanent.

TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe says checkpoints at the 45 largest airports will have special scanners to screen large bottles of "medically necessary" liquids, such as contact-lens solution and infant formula.

Despite the fact that the family lanes end up moving more slowly than lines of expert travelers, the agency has found many families prefer not feeling rushed.

Some airports have expressed concerns that the special lanes will waste time for business travellers during periods when few families are travelling, but airport-design consultant Gloria Bender told the paper TSA will have to monitor checkpoints so empty family lanes can be used by other passengers.

FMI: www.tsa.gov