(WSYR) – It’s officially March. This means that for some, spring break travel has already begun, and for others, it starts right away. Additionally, travel volume is expected to increase this year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
So far in 2024, travel volume is on track to be nearly 6% higher than the same period in 2023, according to the TSA.
“TSA screened a record number of passengers in 2023, and we expect that trend to continue this year,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We continue to work closely with our airline and airport partners to plan for and respond to increased travel demand, reducing wait times to less than 30 minutes in standard lanes and less than 10 minutes at TSA pre-screening. We do our best to maintain it.® lane. ”
Peak crowds for the spring break travel season are expected to begin around March 7th and continue through March 25th.
After taking the time and effort to plan the perfect spring break trip, TSA recommends travelers follow these tips to get your trip off to a great start.
1. Pack wisely and remember the 3-1-1 rule.
Start with an empty bag to avoid packing prohibited items. Liquids, sunscreen containers, and alcohol larger than 3.4 ounces must be carried in checked baggage. Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes are allowed in your carry-on bag as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less and packed in a quart-sized bag. He is limited to one per passenger.
Unloaded firearms must be packed in a locked hard case as checked baggage only and declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms or other weapons to security checkpoints can face serious penalties. To avoid delays, passengers should check their TSA's “What can I bring?” web page.
2. Be prepared for the checkpoint and bring a valid ID
Arrive at the checkpoint with your mobile or printed boarding pass and a readily available valid ID. Follow her TSA officer's instructions during the screening process. At many checkpoints, you may be asked to insert your physical ID into a Qualification Authentication Technology (CAT) unit, in which case you do not need a boarding pass. Nearly 30 airports have installed a second generation of his CAT, called CAT-2, which adds cameras and smartphone readers with optional facial recognition technology.
Starting May 7, 2025, all air travelers age 18 and older will be required to possess a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. Contact your state's DMV for more information.
3. Register for TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck membership allows for faster checkpoint inspections. Teens age 17 and under may be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is enrolled in TSA PreCheck through her TSA PreCheck inspection lane, but are traveling on the same reservation and have her TSA stamp on their boarding pass. The PreCheck indicator should be visible. Children 12 and under can pass through the TSA PreCheck lanes at any time without restriction, accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Most new registrants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 5 days and their membership is valid for 5 years. TSA PreCheck starts at $78 for her five-year membership, and online renewals are $70.
4. Please arrive early and wait.
If you're traveling for spring break, give yourself plenty of time before you board the plane to account for traffic, parking, rental car return, airline check-in, security, airport shopping, and more. The airport environment can be stressful, so please be patient. Unruly passengers at checkpoints, gate areas, or on board the aircraft can be subject to hefty fines and even criminal charges.
5. Call ahead to request passenger assistance
Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions, or family members of passengers, can call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 with questions about screening procedures. If you call at least 72 hours before departure, TSA Cares can also arrange checkpoint assistance for travelers with special needs. For more information, please visit the TSA Cares website.
6. Check with TSA before traveling
Contact TSA on social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. Passengers can also text 275-872 (“AskTSA”) directly from their mobile device. An automated virtual assistant is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for general questions, and AskTSA staff is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, 365 days a year for more complex questions. Travelers can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays. Masu. Automated service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
