United Airlines security officials at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport picked Ms. Titas at random from the check-in line and inspected her baggage as part of heightened efforts to increase airport safety after the terrorist attacks on the United States.

''I'm glad they're doing it,'' said Ms. Titas, who was traveling from Salem, S.C., to Cleveland, Ohio, for her mother's funeral. ''I've never had my bag so intensely searched.''

As Hartsfield, the world's busiest airport, began its first full week of operation since the attacks, travelers remained patient and calm despite the nationwide revamping of airport security.

As part of the security changes, the Federal Aviation Administration eliminated curbside check-in, prohibited the carrying of pocket knives on planes and restricted gate access to ticketed passengers.

The FAA also called for an increase in police presence at airports, in addition to more random inspections of luggage.

And travelers seemed to be responding well.

''They can be as invasive with my bag as they want,'' said Billy Kennedy of Decatur, Ga. Northwest Airlines security stopped Mr. Kennedy and inspected his bag before he boarded his flight to Denver.

Mr. Kennedy was more appreciative than upset by the beefed-up security.

''I don't think it can be too tight,'' he said.

DESPITE THE SECURITY overhaul, the 300-person deep check-in lines that characterized last week's reopening of Hartsfield were gone.

Stranded passengers waited in check-in lines for more than two hours last week after the FAA's mandatory two-day shutdown of all U.S. airports.

But the backlog seemed relieved Monday morning, as passengers arriving two hours ahead of schedule found little, if any, lines to wait in.

''I was prepared to wait much longer,'' said Debra Britt, an Atlanta-area technology consultant who found only six people in front of her for the Delta Air Lines check-in counter.

''I'm alive, my friends are safe and, so far, there's no problem waiting,'' she added.

As traffic increased during the afternoon, lines did begin to form for some airlines. The United Airlines check-in line steadily grew from 10 to nearly 60 people but was back down to 20 people at the end of the lunch hour.

Hartsfield officials continued to advise travelers to arrive two hours in advance of their flights and to expect delays. Delta and Continental Airlines cut nearly 20 percent of their flights last weekend in anticipation of a drop in passengers.

''We are operating at between 75 and 80 percent of normal capacity for overall operations,'' said Yolanda Clark, a Hartsfield spokeswoman.

Hartsfield sees 2,500 flights on an average day, but Ms. Clark said Monday's total would be closer to 2,000.

Reach Brian Basinger at (404) 589-8424 or mnews@mindspring.com.