Security upgrades at John Wayne Airport might mean longer lines

If you’re flying from Orange County’s John Wayne Airport in the next few weeks, you might want to allow more time to get through security screening. Starting Wednesday, security checkpoints at Terminal B will be closed for the next two weeks while upgraded scanning machines are installed, an airport statement says.

United and U.S. Airways passengers should still check in at the Terminal B ticket counter but then stroll over to Terminals A or C (about a five-minute walk) to be screened. Those who don’t need to check bags may proceed directly to screening at the other terminals.

The closed checkpoints might mean longer waits in TSA lines, particularly between 7 and 9 a.m. when security screening is busiest, spokeswoman Jenny Wedge said. Security lines typically have a 10-minute wait time.

The Transportation Security Administration in November announced it would upgrade security machines at several airports nationwide, including John Wayne and Burbank Bob Hope airports in Southern California. The new machines use automated target recognition software that avoids passenger-specific images; many airports already use this technology. After Terminal B’s machines are upgraded, machines at Terminal A also will be replaced.