United to offer automated security checkpoints at O’Hare

In a bid to reduce long airport security lines, United Airlines said Wednesday it will work with federal officials to install automated screening checkpoints this fall at its hub in Newark, New Jersey, and later this year in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Automated checkpoints are set up so that suspicious bags are pulled away for more scrutiny, keeping other bags on the conveyer belt moving. They also have a conveyer belt to return empty bins to the beginning of the line.

United’s move echoes similar announcements from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Carriers say passengers have missed flights while stuck in long lines at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

United also said that four checkpoints at the Newark airport will be combined into one, checkpoints at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport will be redesigned, and a new check-in and screening area will be built in Terminal 7 at Los Angeles International Airport.

In addition, the airline said it will let customers use United frequent-flier points to pay for the $85 application fee for TSA’s PreCheck expedited-screening program.