Christmas, New Year's Travel Tips For BWI Flyers

HANOVER, MD — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen a record number of travelers during the 2018 Christmas and New Year holiday season, with about 40,000 per day at Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), the agency said in a statement. On a typical day, that figure is closer to 32,000, and nationwide, the TSA projects it will screen 6 percent more travelers compared to the same period last year.

At airports across the country, projected passenger volumes for the end-of-year holiday travel season will average around 2.3 million per day, the TSA says.

The busiest day of the holiday season is projected to be Friday, Dec. 21, when the TSA expects to screen more than 2.7 million people. The peak travel days in the Baltimore area are expected to mirror the national trend.

More: Jell-O Molds, Gravy: Holiday Foods You Can Take On Flights

The TSA recommends that travelers arrive at BWI two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours prior to an international flight to ensure there's plenty of time to complete each step in the security process before boarding.

Layers Of Security

TSA checkpoints at BWI Airport will be fully staffed and will use many layers of security, both seen and unseen by the traveling public:

• Airport security starts when someone buys a plane ticket. Individuals enter their full name, gender and birthdate, which allows them to be vetted against a watch list.
• TSA partners with airport police.
• TSA officers use behavior detection techniques and ticket document checkers to ensure a traveler’s identification is authentic.
• The agency uses walk-through metal detectors and automated image technology scanners.
• Some airports use dogs trained to sniff out contraband, such as illegal drugs.
• Travelers may be randomly selected to have their hands swabbed for any traces of explosives.
• If someone triggers an alarm at a checkpoint, he or she may be the recipient of a pat-down.
• X-rays are used to check carry-on bags, and computed tomography images are used to inspect the contents of checked bags to ensure nothing prohibited gets aboard an aircraft.
• After travelers board their flights, they are guarded by armed pilots and federal air marshals.

Tips For Travelers

While the TSA concentrates on aviation security, passengers can assist by coming to the airport prepared. Below are tips to make the airport security checkpoint experience go smoothly during the holidays – and throughout the year:

• Unpack your bag before you pack it – at home. By unpacking your bag fully and repacking it before coming to the airport, travelers will avoid bringing items that are prohibited, including knives, power tools and tools more than 7 inches in length as well as stun guns, martial arts items and more.
• Prepare for security when packing. Put large liquids, gels, creams and aerosols into checked bags such as shampoo, conditioner, suntan lotion, shaving cream and anti-perspirant. If you've only got a carry-on bag, make sure all of your liquids follow the 3-1-1 rule outlined below. And it's important to make sure that you've got no prohibited items in your luggage. Check TSA's web site feature "Can I bring my ________?" at www.tsa.gov. Type in an item to find out if you can bring it in your carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither.
• Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule for your carry-on bag. When packing a carry-on bag, remember that liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less and all bottles must fit in a single quart size plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. This includes sun block and tanning sprays. Let the TSA officer know right away if you're traveling with larger quantities of medically-necessary liquid medications or breast milk or formula for an infant as those can be screened separately.
• If you are carrying powdered substances, it is recommended (not mandatory) to remove them from your carry-on bag and place them in a bin for easy screening. Many powdered substances result in an alarm, which will result in a bag check. Removing the powder items is likely to reduce the need for a bag check at the checkpoint.
• Dress for security screening. Travelers should avoid wearing bulky jewelry, scarves, hair accessories and large belts, since these items are likely to require additional screening. Remember to remove all items from pockets and secure them in a carry-on bag.
• Be ready when you enter the checkpoint line: Have an acceptable ID and boarding pass out of your wallet and ready to hand to the TSA officer. Once you get to the tables, remove laptops, any electronics larger than a cell phone and the 3-1-1 compliant liquids bag, from carry-on baggage and place those items in a checkpoint bin.
• Be prepared to remove all electronics larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing above or underneath them.
• Tweet or Message AskTSA. Issues receiving TSA Pre✓® on your boarding pass? Unsure if an item is allowed through security? Get live assistance by tweeting your questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends/holidays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also reach the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673.
• Check the bins: Equally important, travelers are reminded to check the bins when collecting all belongings after going through screening and before leaving the checkpoint screening area. Often, travelers leave behind laptops, wallets, ID, phones and loose change.
• The TSA Contact Center is available to answer questions by email and phone at 1-866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Call TSA Cares. 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 as well as arrange for assistance at the checkpoint.
• Travelers using the TSA Pre✓® lane do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets at more than 180 U.S. airports. To get more information about TSA Pre✓®, visit the frequently asked questions page on the TSA website.

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Image: Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)