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Thanksgiving weekend is just around the corner, and the AAA tells us that 53 million of us will be traveling, a good many of us by air. TSA expects a surge of travelers at the nation’s airports, with the possibility that the number of travelers will approach 2019 levels.
“We anticipate that travel may be very close to pre-pandemic levels this holiday, and we are staffed and prepared for the holiday travelers. We have deployed technologies that enhance detection capabilities and reduce physical contact, and it’s equally important that passengers are prepared with travel tips for the most efficient checkpoint experience,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “With overall vaccination rates improving nationwide and greater confidence in healthy travel, there will be more people traveling so plan ahead, remain vigilant and practice kindness.”
Be planful - TSA lines aren’t spacing at 6-feet - do yourself a favor and dress to move yourself through TSA as fast as possible and give yourself physical space again. What this means is reduce the number of items which need to be removed and placed in the scanner or place them in your bag before the scanner.
Be patient - Plan on waiting in line, a lot, often, seemingly forever. It will be worse if you don’t have TSA PRE. A recent foray which took us into two of the nation’s airports witnessed TSA doing a fine job, moving people through the security checks expeditiously as possible. The rub is that TSA, like many entities during this pandemic is not operating at 100 percent personnel capacity. So where you would expect three lines to be open for security check, there may only be one or two.
Be aware - Apart from ensuring you are going to make your flight, you will find that individuals will carry a bottle of water, a beverage or such as they walk through the terminal so they can explain away their wearing a mask as a chin-guard or not at all. Consider double masking during the airport portion of your travel, to minimize exposure. Also consider travel at off-hours (if such exists during Thanksgiving).
Airport parking - Using our airport SEATAC as an example, if you don’t have a parking reservation, you won’t have a spot. While parking lots exists, the companies who run the off-site parking entities don’t have the personnel to run all the lots available, which creates a shortage.
Concessions - Most concessions are operating, most are also operating at reduced staffing. This goes for airport lounges as well. Pick up your reading materials, snacks, etc., before you get to the airport will save you time/angst will also save you some coin.
Expect to encounter the asshat - They exist, they percolate to the forefront during times of stress. Having flown for hours with a mask on, it sucks, is inconvenient and makes many feel uncomfortable - yet we do it because it is the right thing to do, and the Federal mandate re public travel requires it. That said, cut your flight attendants some slack - while you are sitting, they are doing their job with that mask on, trying to keep all of us safe and secure as we travel through the skies.
Those are our quick and dirty travel tips to get you through the Thanksgiving travel experience.
Here are some tips from the TSA:
- Wear a mask. Travelers, TSA personnel, and other aviation workers are required to wear a mask as prescribed by the federal mask mandate. Everyone in airports, bus and rail stations, on passenger aircraft, public transportation, passenger railroads, and over-the-road buses operating on scheduled fixed-routes must wear a mask. If a traveler did not bring a mask, a TSA officer will offer a mask to that individual at the screening checkpoint.
- Pack smart. Prepare for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in baggage. Know which foods should go into a checked bag. Gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam, and preserves should all go into a checked bag, because they are not solids. If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it’s not a solid and should be packed in a checked bag. As always, passengers can bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints.
- It’s okay to bring hand sanitizer. TSA is currently allowing travelers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect all containers larger 3.4 ounces will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint experience. Travelers also are permitted to bring alcohol wipes or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on, checked luggage, or both.
- Enroll in or renew your TSA PreCheck® membership. Individuals who obtained TSA PreCheck five years ago are now able to renew their membership online at a discount. Individuals who do not have TSA PreCheck should enroll now to get TSA PreCheck benefits, available at more than 200 U.S. airports. Travelers enrolled in a trusted traveler program, like TSA PreCheck, do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. TSA PreCheck membership is more valuable now than ever before because it reduces touchpoints during the pandemic and puts travelers in security lines that have fewer travelers and move quicker, which encourages social distancing. To find the trusted traveler program that best suits your travel needs, use the DHS trusted traveler comparison tool.
- Request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint.
- Get your questions answered before you head to the airport. Ask TSA. Travelers can get assistance in real time by submitting their questions and comments to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. Travelers can 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.
- Ensure you have proper ID. Before heading to the airport, travelers should make sure they have acceptable identification. Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process.
- Remain aware. As a reminder, public awareness is key for supporting TSA’s security efforts. Travelers are encouraged to report suspicious activities, and remember: If You See Something, Say Something™.
One last item, with the COVID pandemic enduring, and some TSA personnel choosing to ignore the need to be vaccinated, 22 November is a day to watch closely to see what the impact of the “vaccinate or go” deadline for government employees has on the TSA.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving. And, thank you for reading and sharing Securely Travel’s content.
