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TIA Adopts Pick-Your-Screening-Lane Program

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

TAMPA - Travelers at Tampa International Airport now can choose which screening lane will speed their trip: ones marked with black diamonds for experts, blue squares for casual travelers or green circles for families or those with medical issues.

The airport rolled out the designations today for "Self-Select" security lanes to reduce travelers' stress and wait times, airport officials said. The signs are similar to those designating the difficulty of ski trails.

There are 27 total screening lanes throughout the airport.

Marked with a black diamond and a windsurfer, the "Expert Traveler Lane" is used by experienced travelers who travel light, understand the screening process and remove all items from their pockets and carry-on luggage.

A blue square featuring a person lounging under an umbrella indicates the "Casual Traveler Lane" for fliers who are somewhat familiar with screening procedures and have multiple carry-on items.

The "Family/Medical Liquids Lane" is marked with a green circle depicting an adult and child, baby items and medication. This lane is for groups of people, travelers with small children and strollers, those new to flying, those needing assistance and travelers with more than three ounces of medically necessary liquid or baby formula.

The lane designations are part of the Transportation Security Administration's popular "Black Diamond" program, which debuted earlier this year in Salt Lake City and Denver and has been well-received by passengers, airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said.

Airport Executive Director Louis Miller said the airport's screening times already are among the shortest compared with other large-hub airports across the country.

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