Spring Travel: TSA Says ‘Record-Breaking Rush’ Ahead, What To Know
Spring break is around the corner and so are many highly anticipated vacation getaways. Ahead of a busy travel season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is alerting travelers about a record-breaking rush from now until March 25.
“So far in 2024, travel volumes are trending at nearly six percent above the same period in 2023,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske shared. “We always work closely with our airline and airport partners to plan for and meet the increasing travel demand while doing our best to maintain our wait times of 30 minutes or less in standard lanes and 10 minutes or less in TSA PreCheck lanes.”
According to their news release, last year’s highest single day for travel during the spring travel season was March 19, when TSA screened 2,608,462 passengers at checkpoints across the U.S.
Spring Break Travel Tips From TSA
The agency is working to help make things run smoothly for travelers who spend a lot of time planning their getaways. They offered tips on how to get your spring travel off to a great start.
The best way to pack for your trip is to “start with an empty bag,” according to the agency. This way you can more easily avoid putting in anything that you’re prohibited from bringing through security. The agency says it is also important to remember the 3-1-1 rule. You are only allowed to bring liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less and fits along with the others in a quart-sized bag.
Once you get to the airport, it’s important to “be checkpoint ready,” according to TSA. “Arrive at the checkpoint with a mobile or printed boarding pass and readily available valid ID,” the agency stated. “Listen closely to and follow instructions from TSA officers for guidance through the screening process.”
If you want to get through security even faster, the agency says you should consider getting a TSA PreCheck membership. “Most new enrollees receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within five days, and membership lasts for five years,” the agency said in its release.
Of course, other tips they suggest are arriving early, calling ahead for passenger support if you’re traveling with disabilities or medical conditions, and addressing concerns with TSA customer service before you travel.
More information can be found here.
