TSA expects record-breaking passenger volumes over Independence Day holiday

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TSA expects record-breaking passenger volumes over Independence Day holiday

AviationPros | AviationPros

By Sky Industry News

Jun 25, 2024

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for a busy travel period over the Independence Day holiday, expecting to screen more than 32 million individuals from June 27 through July 8. This marks a 5.4% increase compared to last year's holiday travel volumes. On June 23, TSA set a new record by screening nearly 3 million individuals in one day.

TSA anticipates that Friday, June 28, will be the peak travel day with over 3 million passengers expected to pass through security checkpoints. The agency assures that it is staffed to meet its wait time standards of under 10 minutes in TSA PreCheck lanes and under 30 minutes in standard lanes.

"We expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. He noted improvements in staffing due to reduced attrition rates and increased recruiting efforts supported by the TSA Compensation Plan.

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Passengers are advised that security screening technologies may vary by airport, and it is important to arrive early and follow guidance from Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). For those traveling with TSA PreCheck, certain benefits such as keeping shoes on during screening are available unless an alarm occurs.

Teenagers aged 13-17 can accompany enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck lanes if traveling on the same reservation with the indicator on their boarding pass. Children under 12 can join without restriction.

TSA provides several tips for travelers: pack smartly starting with an empty bag, arrive at the airport two hours before boarding time, review guidelines for traveling with children, and seek assistance if needed using resources like the MyTSA app or contacting TSA Cares for support.

Passengers carrying firearms must adhere to specific regulations including securing them in checked baggage and declaring them at check-in. Violations can lead to significant penalties including loss of TSA PreCheck eligibility.

The TSA emphasizes respect towards frontline aviation workers as unruly behavior will not be tolerated and could result in delays or legal consequences.

The agency was established to enhance transportation security while ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. It employs an intelligence-based approach working closely with various communities to maintain high standards in transportation security.