by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:30 AM ET, Tue June 25, 2024
The Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) announced that it broke the record for most
people screened on a single day, screening nearly three million (2.99 million)
individuals on Sunday, June 23.
The record-breaking total comes just days before the Independence
Day holiday travel period kicks off, which TSA officials believe will feature a
sustained period of high passenger volumes.
The TSA expects to screen more than 32 million individuals
from Thursday, June 27, through Monday, July 8, which is a 5.4 percent increase
over 2023 Independence Day holiday travel volumes.
“We expect this summer to be our busiest ever and summer
travel usually peaks over the Independence Day holiday,” TSA Administrator
David Pekoske said. “Compared to last year, we have cut our attrition rates by
almost half and increased our recruiting as a result of the TSA Compensation
Plan that was funded in the budget passed by Congress and signed into law by
President Biden.”
The federal agency anticipates the peak travel day will be
Friday, June 28, when the security officers expect to screen more than three
million people. In total, seven of the top 10 busiest travel days ever have
occurred over the past month.
This summer’s record-breaking travel volumes reflect the
role TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have in securing the nation’s
transportation systems, while ensuring freedom of movement for people and
commerce.
“The traveling public is on the move, which is a sign of a
healthy economy,” Pekoske said. “We are ready, along with our airline and
airport partners, to handle this boost in passenger volumes.”
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