John Wayne to implement time-saving security system

Expect to start seeing more advertising at John Wayne Airport, with the side benefit of less time waiting in security lines. John Wayne is one of six U.S. airports where the Transportation Security Administration recently approved new security checkpoint systems that officials said will save time.

The system from Florida-based Security Point Media includes tables for travelers to get organized before and after passing through security, carts to move bins from one end of checkpoints to the other, and new plastic bins for travelers’ belongings featuring ads on the bottom.

Security Point’s system has been in place at Los Angeles International Airport since July 2006, according to the company. It does save time, Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez said, because with the carts, workers can move the bins around more easily and are less likely to get injured and miss work.

With the tables, he said, “people aren’t there fumbling through stuff on the floor. It’s just easier for people to do what they need to do at security.”

John Wayne Airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge said the system will be tried out for a year, but she doesn’t know how soon it will be installed.

— Alicia Robinson