Something to give thanks for at O'Hare

Stressed travelers make for stressed security checkpoints, so in an effort to calm the waters in time for the Thanksgiving travel extravaganza, the Transportation Security Administration is giving families and inexperienced travelers a choice.

The TSA will offer "green lanes" at all airports, including O'Hare, by Nov. 20, designed for people who take more time than the average passenger to go through a security checkpoint.

Typical users are parents with children, airport rookies and people carrying liquid medications greater than the 3 ounce limit.

Earlier this year, the TSA began providing three separate types of lane at checkpoints in selected airports, including Midway International. The choices comprise: expert, represented by a black diamond, for frequent fliers; casual, designated by a blue square for people who are comfortable with airport rules; and the family/special assistance lanes, indicated by a green circle.

So far, travelers have given the new system high ratings, TSA spokeswoman Lara Uselding said, but the holiday expansion of the program involves only the family lanes.

"Passengers want to feel more relaxed at checkpoints," she said, adding that a less stressed atmosphere helps investigators focus on people who might actually pose a security risk.

"On the family lanes, we've seen alarm rates drop when people have more time," Uselding said.

The agency has seen a 21 percent increase in efficiency on its black-diamond lanes.

"Because they're savvy about the rules, they go through faster," Uselding said.