WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new passenger screening program to make check-in more convenient for certain travelers is being expanded to 28 more major U.S. airports.

The program works this way: Participating travelers will walk through a dedicated lane at airport security checkpoints. They will provide the TSA officer with a specially marked boarding pass. A machine will read the barcode, and travelers deemed "low-risk," will likely be allowed to keep on belts, shoes and jackets and leave laptops and liquids in bags when being screened.

The program is expected to be operating in Reagan National Airport near Washington, Salt Lake City International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport by the end of March.

By the end of the year, the program is expected to be at more airports, including Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

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On the Web: http://www.tsa.gov/what--we--do/escreening.shtm