by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:45 PM ET, Thu May 16, 2024
As Americans prepare for the busy summer travel period, the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) is predicting that a record number of airline passengers
will pass through airport checkpoints, starting with Memorial Day weekend.
The busy summer season starts with the Memorial Day holiday
weekend—running between May 23-29—with TSA
officials expecting to screen more than 18 million passengers and crew
members.
The holiday total represents an increase of around 6.4
percent compared to last year. As for the busiest day, the government agency estimates
that nearly three million passengers will pass through airport checkpoints on
Friday, May 24.
“In close coordination with airport, airline and travel
partners, we are more than ready to handle this summer's increased travel
volumes,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.
“We are also continuing to deploy state-of-the-art
checkpoint technology that increases security effectiveness, efficiency and
enhances the passenger experience and our retention and recruitment numbers are
the highest they've ever been,” Pekoske continued.
To meet the increased demand, the TSA has worked in recent
months to modernize
airport security checkpoints and added enhanced detection methods to best
secure American airports.
The federal agency also listed several tips to make summer travel
through the airport easier, including following the guidance of officers
through new technology, emptying bags before packing, and declaring and
properly packing firearms if traveling with a gun.
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