Rather than just running a plain ol’ video or audio loop instructing travelers on liquid restrictions and other topics, Manchester Airport in the UK has unveiled a pair of holograms it hopes will speed up the lines at the security checkpoints.

The 2-D duo, named John and Julie after the two actual Manchester staffers who allowed their likenesses to be used, will be placed at the checkpoints to remind people about what liquids can and can’t be brought on board and also to have their boarding passes ready.

From the airport’s website:

The technology has been developed in conjunction with Musion, and uses a texture that is carefully prepared during manufacture to retain maximum transparency and strength. The resulting surface betters that of a glass mirror, allowing the reproduction of high definition video at such high quality that they look real. So much so that passengers at Manchester Airport have been seen presenting their passports to the holograms!

“We are always looking for new ways to improve the experience of our airport for customers,” explains a flesh-and-blood (or so we hope) rep for the airport. “But four years after the restrictions were introduced, passengers understandably forget about liquids. We don’t want anyone to have to throw their drink or make up away so we’ve tried lots of different ways to reinforce the liquid rules, from posters to people dressed up as giant deodorant cans! Maybe holograms are the answer?”

Do you think this will actually be a help to travelers or did the airport just spend money on a trumped-up video display?

And I can’t be the only one thinking “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi — You’re my only hope.”

HOL-IDAY-GRAMS MATERIALISE AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT [Manchester Airport site]

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