TSA Prepares for Busy Summer Air Travel Season

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it is prepared to screen a high number of passengers at airport security checkpoints across the United States during the busy summer travel season.

TSA officials said they expect to screen approximately 2.6 million passengers on May 26, the busiest day of the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. To help accommodate the rush of travelers, the agency revealed that teenagers aged 13-17 may accompany PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through screening when booked on the same reservation.

TSA officials are pushing for travelers to enroll for a five-year membership in PreCheck for $78, a decision that will provide passengers with faster checkpoint screening. In April, 94 percent of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at the checkpoint.

“TSA is ready to handle this summer’s anticipated increase in travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “Our staffing levels are better and this is largely due to better pay for all TSA employees which starts on July 1.”

“Our strong partnerships with airports and airlines will ensure we are able to anticipate and respond to changes in passenger travel throughout the summer,” Pekoske said.

To enhance security effectiveness and efficiency, TSA is deploying new technology solutions nationwide, including Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units used to confirm the authenticity of a passenger’s identification credentials, flight details and pre-screening status

Agents are advising travelers to begin packing for travel with an empty bag, as they will be less likely to be stopped at the security checkpoint for having prohibited items. While passengers may travel with a firearm if properly packed in checked baggage and declared with the airline, undeclared weapons are forbidden at security checkpoints and onboard aircraft.

Airports will be busy, so TSA officials are advising people to give themselves plenty of time to park or return a rental car, take a shuttle to the airport, check in with the airline, check bags and prepare for the security checkpoint.

One of the most important pieces of advice that seems to be lost on the general public is to respect TSA and other frontline airport and airline employees. They are there for the safety and security of all passengers, and violence and unruly behavior toward them is unacceptable.

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