Thanksgiving Travel Hassles: TSA Adds Staff, Has Tips for Hudson Valley Fliers

HARRISON, NY — If your Thanksgiving destination will be reached by air travel, the Transportation Security Administration says it has added staff to move passengers more quickly through airports and offers some advice for you before you head to the airport.

This week kicks off the hectic 2016 holiday season at Westchester County Airport, Stewart International Airport, and the NYC metro area's big three: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty, as well as airports nationwide. So, it's best to come prepared to avoid delays in boarding your flight.

Starting this week through Jan. 7, 2017, the Transportation Security Administration will screen more than 100 million travelers as they take to the skies to reunite with family and friends for the holidays.

After a 'madhouse' at JFK in August due to a shooting scare, that airport will be overhauling security — but not right now.

And after a social media firestorm of complaints in the spring when security lines at several airports, including O'Hare and Midway Airports in Chicago, made travelers miss flights and sleep overnight in airport terminals, the TSA says it has prepared for the holiday travel season.

The agency that screens every airline passenger says it has increased staffing, deployed additional K-9 teams and will monitor and deploy resources to the busiest airports.

The agency urges regular fliers to sign up for traveler programs, such as TSA Pre✓®, Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI; travelers using the TSA Pre✓ lane do not have to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets as they go through screening.

Here are some tips from the TSA to have a smooth checkpoint experience:

• Arrive early. Allow additional time for traffic, parking, rental car returns and airline check-in. Arrive up to two hours in advance of your flight departure time for domestic travel and three hours for international flights.
• Prepare for security. Have a valid ID and boarding pass out, and remove large electronics, including laptops and liquids, from carry-on baggage. Avoid over packing your carry-on bag. Consider checking bags where feasible.
• Follow the liquids rule. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less, and all containers must fit inside a single quart-size plastic bag and be placed in a bin for carry-on baggage screening.
• Leave gifts unwrapped. Pack unwrapped gifts or place items in a gift bag or wrap them after arriving at your destination sine TSA officers may have to unwrap them during security screening.
• Pack food items. Items such as pies and cakes are allowed in your carry-on but may require further inspection. If you are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel, it is best to pack the item in a checked bag or ship it to your destination in advance.
• Call TSA Cares. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline at 855-787-2227 with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint, as well as arrange for assistance at the checkpoint. Call at least 72 hours before traveling.
• Tweet or Message @AskTSA. Issues receiving TSA Pre✓® on your boarding pass? Unsure if an item is allowed through security? Get real-time assistance by tweeting your questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit TSA’s one-stop shop for answers to your questions. The TSA Contact Center can be reached at 866-289-9673. In addition, you may watch a holiday travel tips video and additional travel tips videos for more information.

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Patch file photo at Westchester County Airport