New automated security screening lanes have opened at John F. Kennedy International Airport. NY1's Thabie Sibanda explains how the new technology is expected to make those checkpoints easier for travelers.

Long security lines are a dreaded part of air travel but at John F. Kennedy International Airport some may soon disappear. New automated security screening lanes have opened promising reduced waits. On Wednesday, these travelers were some of the first to experience the new technology.

"It seems to be running smoothly. It seems to be a lot quicker than it was before," said one traveler.

The automated lanes are already running at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Newark. At JFK, six lanes have opened in Terminal 2, which serves delta, and Terminal 4, where several international airlines are based. Within a few weeks 11 more will be installed.

"Wait times improved for our customers. Already in the early days of the lanes that we've introduced here at JFK we're seeing those improved wait times,” said Hussein Berry, Delta’s Vice President of Airport Operations at JFK.

Here’s how it works: travelers put items in a bin then push the bin onto a conveyer belt. There is no need to wait for travelers further ahead on line. Travelers can just skip over them and continue on through security. After each use, the bins are automatically returned to the front of the line – freeing up TSA agents for screenings.

"As you can see, you no longer have to wait for the slow person in front of you. These lanes allow people to come in multiple times and divest at their own pace," said John Bambury, TSA’s Federal Security Director.

Officials with the Transportation Security Administration could not say exactly how much time travelers can expect to save with the new technology. A few people we spoke with here at JFK say they can already see a difference. One flyer said it saved him ten minutes.

"I'm impressed with the number of people that they are moving through fairly quickly," said another traveler.

But not everyone is satisfied with the new system.

"The system doesn't make any sense,” said another traveler. “Your bags come out in one and your electronics come out in another and it doesn't seem like the staff knows what they are doing."

Officials say once all 17 lanes are open, they think the impact will be much more noticeable.