Hotel-inspired security checkpoint opens at Chicago O’Hare


Unveiling the new security checkpoint
Unveiling the new security checkpoint: Glen Ryniewski, CDA; Bob Lovell, Clear Channel Airports; Tiffany Green, CDA; Jon Sayer, Clear Channel Airports; Rosemarie S. Andolino, CDA; Craig Fowler, Marriott International; Erik Bottema, Aviator North America; and Joseph Ambrefe Jr., SecurityPoint Media.

Security checkpoint 3 in Terminal 1 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport now has the feel of a hotel lobby following an extensive refurbishment that aims to provide travellers with a stress-free airport security experience.

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has teamed up with SpringHill Suites by Marriott, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), SecurityPoint Media and Clear Channel Airports to transform the security checkpoint.

SpringHill Suites has provided modern furniture to replace the usual metal benches, as well as wall art, calming lighting and soothing music, while comfortable seating is also available in the pre-security area. A video wall has also been installed to keep passenger entertained while they are queuing. SpringHill Suites will also offer periodic surprises and giveaways to help improve the passenger experience.

Travellers can make use of comfortable hotel lobby-style seating
Travellers can make use of comfortable hotel lobby-style seating, while wall art and video screens provide entertainment for those in the queue.

Rosemarie S. Andolino, CDA Commissioner, explained that that the “SpringHill Suites concept is a unique way to improve the screening process for travellers”.

This is not the first time SpringHill Suites has worked with an airport to improve the environment in the security zone. Last year the company worked with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in a pilot project, and has also undertaken similar work alongside Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Craig Fowler, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at SpringHill Suites, added: “The SpringHill Suites airport zones are changing the paradigm of travel. As a hospitality brand, we understand how design and style can enhance an experience and provide added comfort.”

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  1. CelticWhisper

    This is ridiculous to the point of being insulting. No amount of comfy couches or pastel-colored indirect lighting can make up for the fact that people are being forced to choose between an electronic strip search (the gumby-figure is only for the monitors, nude images are still captured by the machines) and sexual assault, and some unlucky travelers (namely those with disabilities) are forced through both. This is lipstick on a pig and the pig needs to be butchered.

    You cannot couch violations of inalienable rights in creature-comforts and expect that to make anything OK. The only way to make it OK is to forbid ANY airport security screener from touching ANY passenger for ANY reason. Until that happens, airports and I are seeing other people.

    • ProfDynamite

      The machines don’t capture nude images. They simply show anomalies on the “gumby image”. Get your facts straight. No one is strip searching you.