AA JFK to Deploy Faster "Automated Screening" Lanes May 2017
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
AA JFK to Deploy Faster "Automated Screening" Lanes May 2017
Actually both Delta and AA will have these up and running by the end of May, the Port Authority said and work is already underway.
There are several key features at work: the number of passengers who at one time can fill a bin and the automated belts.
Security Lines at JFK About to Move Much Faster with Introduction of Automated Screening Lanes
.
This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest.”
There are several key features at work: the number of passengers who at one time can fill a bin and the automated belts.
Security Lines at JFK About to Move Much Faster with Introduction of Automated Screening Lanes
...The design allows as many as five passengers at time to fill bins with their belongings in each lane, and thereby move through the process at a quicker pace. To further lessen the wait, the lanes use a conveyor system to automatically return empty bins to the front of the line.
The lanes have automated belts that move bags into the X-ray machines while diverting bags that require further screening, a key feature that allows bins behind them to continue through the screening process uninterrupted...
<SNIP>
.
The lanes have automated belts that move bags into the X-ray machines while diverting bags that require further screening, a key feature that allows bins behind them to continue through the screening process uninterrupted...
<SNIP>
.
This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest.”
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
I think they've been experimenting with these in other US airports (ATL?) and they're substantially similar if not identical to the Lhr ones.
Solves one of the most frustrating parts of the screening - getting stuck behind an idiot.
Solves one of the most frustrating parts of the screening - getting stuck behind an idiot.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 152
I did get stuck later behind an idiot who wanted to be the first one to board but not give up on his phone conversation...
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,213
These are great if you have a person reading the X-rays at a reasonable clip. If not, it gets backed up and you end up getting out of sequence because you put your carry-on bag in one bin and push it forward and then it is backed up and you can't put your hand luggage and other items from you pocked in another bin until the four have cleared.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Presumably the new system will improve efficiency around the margins (e.g. not having to push your bag all the way forward to the conveyor belt; TSA not having to stop the conveyor while the owner of a secondary-screened bag is found), but I suspect the biggest factor is having an adequate number of properly-staffed lanes.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
This is the crux of it. The LHR system (like the US system) seems to work fine when bags are moving through and when there are enough secondary screening staff. When it's backed up, it's backed up no matter what.
Presumably the new system will improve efficiency around the margins (e.g. not having to push your bag all the way forward to the conveyor belt; TSA not having to figure out whose bag is whose for secondary), but I suspect the biggest factor is having an adequate number of properly-staffed lanes.
Presumably the new system will improve efficiency around the margins (e.g. not having to push your bag all the way forward to the conveyor belt; TSA not having to figure out whose bag is whose for secondary), but I suspect the biggest factor is having an adequate number of properly-staffed lanes.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
This. When the secondary screening backs up at LHR, it shuts down for everyone. And in true LHR fashion, last time I had this happen they had plenty of people to bark orders at you about what not to do, but none to screen the damn bags. One of them made the mistake of barking at me and got an earful.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Over the North Atlantic
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 494
The LHR system does very little to improve the average rate of movements in the security lines. The number of bags screened per minute remain the same as before. Most of the time in JFK, I've observed that the rate of bins going into the X-ray machine is already close to that maximum capacity so I don't see how the LHR system can make the security lines at JFK go much faster.
Another annoying thing about the LHR system is that a lot of people don't know when to shove their bin into the conveyor belt. I've seen it often that people try to squeeze their bin into the moving conveyor belt, when its currently carrying another bin behind their position into the x-ray machine.
The automatic return of the empty bins is a good improvement.
Another annoying thing about the LHR system is that a lot of people don't know when to shove their bin into the conveyor belt. I've seen it often that people try to squeeze their bin into the moving conveyor belt, when its currently carrying another bin behind their position into the x-ray machine.
The automatic return of the empty bins is a good improvement.
Last edited by muishkin; Apr 29, 2017 at 6:39 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,040
JFK's T4 (DL) is getting these installed this weekend (Sunday). They've advised people to use the lower arrivals level (where you clear after international flights) security check point on Sunday.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,558
Not a fan of them at LHR for the reasons noted above. The process moves dreadfully slowly, especially in the Terminal 3 flight connections area.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221