Stephanie the Screener explains security

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The creative minds behind Smokey Bear have unveiled a new character U.S. officials hope will help ease tensions at airport security gates.

A $1.3 million ad campaign launched in November pairs the Ad Council and the Transportation Security Administration to create Stephanie the Airport Screener to explain the reasons behind the checkpoints in post-Sept. 11, 2001, travel, USA Today reported Tuesday.

A passenger focus group found that passengers were more worried about missing their flight than of their plane coming under terrorist attack, TSA officials said.

In response, a 97-second video of Washington National Airport screener Stephanie Naar tells why passengers are asked to remove their shoes -- homemade bombs "are the No. 1 threat to aircraft, and we know terrorists have concealed these items in shoes" -- explains the 3-ounce rule for carry-on liquids and tries to prepare travelers for their trip through the checkpoint.

"Part of our effort here is to develop a spirit of cooperation," TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said.

The campaign features radio spots in 12 major cities directing listeners to the TSA Web site for travel tips, and videos that the non-profit Ad Council is posting on strategic Web sites as well.

TSA also has been training screeners to interact better with passengers, Howe said.