United opens automated screening lanes at O’Hare

O'Hare is the second airport to feature the new automated security lanes

United Airlines has opened automated security screening lanes at its hometown hub of Chicago O’Hare.

The three new lanes have opened at the TSA Precheck security checkpoint in Terminal 1.

The new lanes enable up to five customers to fill their individual bins simultaneously.

A conveyor system returns empty bins to the front of the queue.

United introduced automated screening lanes Los Angeles in October and expects to open automated lanes at Newark before Thanksgiving.

Peter Neffenger, TSA Administrator:

“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 Terminal 1 at O’Hare furthers TSA’s ability to fulfill its security mission while also enhancing the travel experience.”

Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Mayor:

“Establishing these automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints is an important part of sustaining the success we achieved since last spring

“We’ve gone from an unacceptable 104 minute wait time at peak hours at O’Hare to some of the shortest in the country among major airports.”

In addition to installing automated screening lanes, United is building and redesigning checkpoints at several hubs throughout the airline’s network.

Key initiatives include:

  • Installing audio and visual enhancements in the security queuing area to provide passengers with more information
  • Consolidating four checkpoints into one new, centralized checkpoint at Newark Liberty
  • Redesigning security checkpoints at Chicago O’Hare
  • Constructing a new, state-of-the-art customer check-in area and a consolidated security screening checkpoint in Terminal 7 at Los Angeles International Airport

N.B. Image credit: United

Internet links

United Airlines (UA)

Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)