TSA、休日の空港保安検査場は史上最も混雑すると予想

米国運輸保安局（TSA）は今年、記録的な数の乗客を検査しており、このホリデー旅行シーズンには全国の空港の保安検査場がこれまで以上に混雑すると予想している。

シーズンは、17 月 28 日金曜日に始まり、12 月 XNUMX 日火曜日に終わる感謝祭旅行で始まります。XNUMX 日間の期間中、 TSA 30万人の乗客を検査すると予想されています。 歴史的に、旅行客が最も混雑する 2.6 日は、感謝祭前の火曜日と水曜日、そして感謝祭後の日曜日です。 TSAは21月2.7日火曜日に22万人の乗客を検査すると予想している。 2.9月26日水曜日の乗客数はXNUMX万人、XNUMX月XNUMX日日曜日の乗客数はXNUMX万人で、最も混雑する日となる可能性が高い。

「今年のホリデーシーズンはこれまでで最も忙しいものになると予想しています。 2023 年には、TSA 史上最も混雑する旅行日トップ 10 のうちの 10 日がすでに見られています」と TSA 長官デビッド・ペコスケ氏は述べています。 「私たちは予想される量に対応する準備ができており、航空会社や空港パートナーと緊密に連携して、この忙しいホリデー旅行シーズンに確実に備えられるよう取り組んでいます。 また、TSA PreCheck® レーンでは 30 分未満、標準検査レーンでは XNUMX 分未満の待ち時間基準を維持するために最善を尽くします。 このホリデーシーズンやその後も警戒を怠らず、使命に集中し続けてくれる当社の献身的な従業員に感謝しています。」

TSAは、2.8年これまでに2023万人以上の乗客を検査した日数を複数日記録している。TSA史上最も多い乗客検査数の現在の記録は30月2.9日金曜日だった。その日、運輸保安官（TSO）はXNUMX万人近くの検査を行った。全国の検問所の乗客。 TSAは今年の感謝祭休暇の旅行期間にこの記録を超える可能性が高い。

さらに、現在 17.6 万人以上の乗客が TSA PreCheck に登録しており、これは過去最高額であり、昨年のこの時期よりも 3.9 万人多い TSA PreCheck 会員に相当します。

旅行者は空港に到着する前に、次のヒントを心に留めておく必要があります。

• Pack smart; start with empty bags. Passengers who start with an empty bag while packing are less likely to bring prohibited items through the checkpoint. Certain foods, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves must be packed in a checked bag because they are considered to be liquids or gels. If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it is a liquid and must be packed in your checked bag. As always, passengers may bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the TSA checkpoint. Check for prohibited items by using the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov. or just ask @AskTSA.

• Bring an acceptable ID and have it out in the screening lane. Before heading to the airport, travelers must make sure they have acceptable identification. Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process. At many checkpoints, the TSO may ask you to insert your physical ID into one of our Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units, where a boarding pass is not needed.The second generation of CAT, called CAT-2, is currently deployed to 25 airports and adds a camera and smartphone reader to the other CAT features. The camera captures a real-time photo of the traveler at the podium and compares the traveler’s photo on the identification credential against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, the TSO verifies and directs the traveler for appropriate security screening without ever exchanging a boarding pass. Photos are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Passenger participation is voluntary and if a passenger chooses not to have their photo taken, they may have their identity verified manually instead without losing their place in line.

• Arrive early. The airport will be busy this week, so arrive two hours prior to your scheduled flight to allow for adequate time to park your car or arrive via public transit or rideshare, check bags and go through security screening before arriving at the gate.

• If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked bag and declare it with the airline at the ticket counter when checking in. Passengers are prohibited from packing firearms in carry-on luggage and bringing them to the airport security checkpoint and onboard aircraft. Bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is expensive and time-consuming and can cause delays. The maximum civil penalty for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is nearly $15,000. Additionally, it will result in the loss of TSA PreCheck eligibility for up to five years.

• Be aware of new checkpoint screening technology. TSA uses a variety of security methods and technologies to secure our transportation systems. Screening protocols vary from airport to airport, depending on available technology and the current threat environment. Some airports have installed new state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) scanners which significantly improve threat detection capabilities for carry-on bags and reduce physical searches of bag contents for prohibited items. CT units give TSOs the ability to review 3-D images of passengers’ bags, so passengers screened in security lanes with CT units do not need to remove their 3-1-1 liquids or laptops. With CT units, all travelers must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening.

• Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck and ensure you have the TSA PreCheck mark on your boarding pass. TSA’s trusted traveler program now has more than 90 participating airlines, is available at more than 200 airports and has two authorized enrollment providers. Those enrolled enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening. The five-year membership costs just $78. After submitting an online application, which takes just five minutes, applicants must schedule an appointment at any of the 500 plus enrollment centers. After a successful enrollment center visit, most new enrollees will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days. Members may renew their membership online up to six months prior to expiration for another five-year term for $70. Most TSA PreCheck members wait less than five minutes at the checkpoint. Children 12 and younger may join TSA PreCheck family members in the TSA PreCheck screening lanes. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults in the dedicated lanes when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. TSA PreCheck passengers must ensure that their KTN, along with correct date of birth, is in their airline reservation.

• Call ahead to request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers who need assistance may call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs.

• Text or direct message us @ AskTSA. Get your questions answered before you head to the airport. Travelers can get assistance in real time by texting their question to #275-872 (“AskTSA”) or through @AskTSA on X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook Messenger. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7, while staff is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET daily, including holidays and weekends. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Remain aware. Travelers should report suspicious activities, and remember: If You See Something, Say Something.

• Pack an extra dose of patience, especially during higher passenger volume travel days, and show gratitude to those who are working diligently over the holidays and every day to get everyone to their destinations safely.