The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), in conjunction with the leading national airport association, today added four new monitors displaying an instructional video on how passengers can prepare to quickly and efficiently pass through newly-federalized security checkpoints. With the peak travel holiday season here, the additional monitors will aid passengers in conveniently moving through the airport and onto flights.

Massport partnered with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) to produce the instructional video, introduced in Terminal C (Delta Air Lines) in March 2002. The positive response to the video by both passengers and the airlines prompted additional installations.

The AAAE system is unique because each video is customized to the needs of the individual airport and produces the messages in both English and Spanish. "Customer service is a key part of effective security," AAAE President Chip Barclay said. "Easing security congestion by ensuring that passengers are prepared for screening will become more and more critical as airports face the holiday travel rush. Prepared passengers could mean the difference between a moving line and a long wait."

"Massport is committed to making Logan Airport a world-class facility with world-class customer-service," said Massport CEO Craig P. Coy. "By educating passengers before they get to the checkpoint, we can improve the flow and lessen the time spent in line."

The new 42-inch flat screen monitors are located at the main check-in counters of American Airlines and US Airways in Terminal B, United Airlines in Terminal C and in Terminal E.

The videos operate on a continuous loop and give detailed instructions on how to efficiently pass through security check points. For example:

Do:

take off your coat or jacket;
hold boarding pass, driver's license and passport together;
remove cell phones, beepers, change and keys from pockets and place into plastic container for inspection; and
remove laptop from case, place on conveyor belt.

Do Not:

bring cigarette lighters;
cups of coffee or soda in opened containers;
sharp items that can be considered a weapon; and
aerosol spray.

"On behalf of the Transportation Security Administration, we at Massport are reminding passengers to not bring wrapped gifts to the airport," continued Coy. "Federal screeners may have to open and inspect certain packages." A video advising travelers to leave their presents unwrapped is currently being developed in time for late December. Since its introduction at Logan, the Massport/AAAE instructional video has been displayed at other airports.

More in this Section