Federal officials and commercial airlines are taking steps this week designed to prevent passengers from missing flights because of long security lines.
The agency in charge of screening airline passengers is planning to have extra personnel staffing the checkpoints as millions of Americans journey to their Thanksgiving destinations.
Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Laura Wolf said the agency estimates passengers will have to wait 15 to 30 minutes to be screened, but the time could increase during the morning and evening hours today, Wednesday and over the weekend, when many flights are scheduled.
“It is the Super Bowl of travel season,” Wolf said.
The TSA also is asking travelers to make screening easier and faster by neatly packing their carry-on bags. If the bag’s contents are layered, security officers will be less likely to have to search the bags by hand, which takes about three minutes perpassenger.
“That may not sound like much, but it really adds up during busy times,” Wolf said.
David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association, said proper planning for lines at the security checkpoints and other places in and around an airport is vital during Thanksgiving.
That planning, according to the group that operates Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, should include travelers’ attire. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is recommending passengers not wear clothes or jewelry that will set off metal detectors. MWAA also provides booties for passengers wanting to cover their feet after taking their shoes off for screening.
Stempler also recommends travelers arrive an hour earlier than normal because passengers who miss their flight because they were stuck in a parking lot traffic jam or because they did not get through the screening line in time may have a long wait to reach their destination, he said.
“If someone gets bumped, it may be a day before there is another flight with an empty seat,” he told The Examiner. “It’s a short holiday with a definite beginning and a definite end. Everything is more compressed during Thanksgiving. You don’t want to be a day late for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Airlines are sharing flight schedules and passenger counts with the TSA to help the agency plan for busy stretches and avoid delays or missed flights.
The airline industry is seeking to atone to passengers for a woeful summer vacation season, which posted a record number of delayed flights.
Flights at several airports across the country Monday were delayed as much as an hour by inclement weather and mechanical trouble.
