TSA officers prepare for huge crowds at MSP on the day after The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is not only perhaps the biggest date on the year’s sports calendar, it’s also one of the biggest events of the year for the Transportation Security Administration.
Especially the day after as fans from all over begin heading home. Officials expect the aftermath of this year’s game – scheduled for Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium – to be no exception.
“The world will be watching the Super Bowl,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
“On the day after the Super Bowl, it will feel like the world is departing this airport.”
Officials expect nearly 70,000 passengers to depart MSP the Monday after the big game. That’s about double an average day there, and it amounts to roughly 3,000 security screenings per hour.
“But don’t worry,” Dankers said. “We have our resources in place.”
Every security lane will be open, which equates to more than 30 open lanes at the airport’s two terminals combined. More than 100 TSA officers are being brought in from out-of-state, along with more than 20 explosive detection K9s. The TSA says its ready to dish out about an extra 1,000 hours of overtime to help travelers get through security safely and efficiently.
“This is going to be our Super Bowl here at TSA Minnesota,” TSA Transportation Security Manager Rafael Urzua said.
If you have to catch a flight after the Super Bowl, you may be wondering how early you should show up. The TSA recommends getting to security at MSP no later than two hours before your flight.