Record Summer 2018 Air Travel: Tips To Avoid BWI Hassles

HANOVER, MD — A record number of summer vacationers will leave take to the skies via BWI Airport and other airports nationally beginning this weekend, making terminals packed through fall. Federal officials predict 243 million passengers and crew will pass through security checkpoints nationwide between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And travelers will see more security officers working and more canine teams in action this summer in airports nationwide.

Last summer, Transportation Security Administration workers screened more than 239 million passengers and crew during the same period, which included four of the top ten busiest days in the agency’s history. Checkpoint staff has increased by more than 600 officers since the beginning of the year and the TSA expects to add another 1,000 officers before the peak of this year’s summer travel season. Additionally, TSA plans to have about 50 more passenger screening canine teams operational this summer.

“TSA screens over 2 million passengers on an average day throughout the year and expects to screen over 2.6 million a day during peak periods of the busy summer travel season,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a news release. “Our officers are committed to ensuring the highest level of security for the traveling public even as passenger volume increases year after year.”

Christine Johnson, a TSA officer who has been working at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport since 2016, has some tips to guide travelers through the checkpoint process, eliminate confusion and speed things up.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

First of all, Johnson recommends travelers “arrive at the airport two hours before their flight.” During summer travel season, all airports are busy. TSA officers will not move travelers to the front of the checkpoint line if they are running late.

“Take everything out of your pockets,” Johnson says next. That means the driver’s license, boarding pass, lip balm, tissues, and the more obvious items like keys, phones and wallets. She stresses again—everything out.

“Liquids, gels and aerosols that are 3.4 ounces or larger are not allowed through the checkpoint, so pack the large suntan lotion, insect repellent spray, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, and other large beauty products in your checked bag,” she explains. Johnson says that one of the most common reasons that carry-on bags require TSA officers to search inside is for the oversize liquid, gel or aerosol. Those items will not be permitted beyond the checkpoint. Unsure if an item is defined as a liquid, gel or aerosol? A good rule of thumb is that if the item can be spilled, sprayed, spread, pumped or poured, it’s defined as a liquid, gel or aerosol.

Have your boarding pass on your mobile device? It’s important to remember that the TSA officer cannot accept a printed version of a mobile boarding pass because the technology doesn’t recognize it. A mobile boarding pass must be on the phone. “It’s a great idea to have your mobile device turned on, in hand, with the boarding pass on the screen when you get to the TSA ticket document checker,” she suggests. Don't wait until you get to the TSA podium to open the boarding pass on your phone; airport wifi can be spotty, so it's best to take a screen shot of your boarding pass before arriving at the checkpoint.

All personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone need to be removed from carry-on bags to allow for a good clear x-ray image to ensure that nobody has tampered with the device to conceal something inside. This includes laptops, tablets (i.e., iPads), e-readers (i.e., Kindles and Nooks), Bluetooth speakers and camera bodies.

Maryland Patch Photo Contest: Submit Your Best Pics

If you need special assistance for a medical or health condition, call the TSA Cares Line 72 hours in advance of your flight at 855-787-2227.

And travelers should not to bring their guns to the checkpoint; BWI Airport set a record last year for the number of firearms detected at checkpoints in carry-on bags.

While the peak travel period kicked off Memorial Day holiday, some of the busiest days of the summer will be the days leading up to and immediately after the Fourth of July and Labor Day, but most summer days will seem like holiday time with the increase in passengers expected throughout the summer, officials say.

More Tips To Eliminate Hassles

To help speed the security screening process, travelers should arrive early to the airport, authorities say, preferably two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight to ensure you have time to park or return rental cars, check your bags, get a boarding pass and hit the restroom — all before heading to the security checkpoint.

But it's more than about arriving early. You should also prepare ahead of time by following the 3-1-1 rule: when packing toiletries, have no more than 3.4 ounces of liquid in a 1-quart plastic bag, and no more than one bag for every person.

Wear shoes that are easy to get on and off as you go through security screening. Empty your pockets before heading through the checkpoint screening equipment. Also, make sure you don't have any prohibited items.

"The most common mistake that passengers make is that they have items that are prohibited at a checkpoint—mainly oversize liquids and various knives that are in their carry-on bags," the TSA says. "Prohibited items detected at a checkpoint will slow a checkpoint line. They require bag-checks, tests for traces of explosives and finally, rescreening through the X-ray equipment and can add a few minutes to the amount of time it takes an individual to complete the screening process."

Travelers are encouraged to follow these tips:

• Arrive early. Up to two hours before a domestic flight and three hours in advance of an international flight.
• Prepare for security when packing. Put large liquids, gels, creams and aerosols into checked bags -- think 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.
• Follow 3-1- 1 liquids rule for your carry-on bag. 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.

• Documents 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 screening tables, remove large electronics including laptops and the 3-1- 1 liquids bag, from carry-on baggage.
• Less accessories: Consider minimizing items that you wear to the airport such as bulky jewelry, scarves, hair accessories, large belts and other bulky items that are likely to require additional screening. Remove all items from your pockets and put them into one of your carry-on bags so you won’t lose them.
• @AskTSA: If you have questions on what is allowed through the security checkpoint, contact a TSA employee for live assistance 365 days a year via Twitter. Tweet your questions and comments to @AskTSA from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends/holidays. Call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 1-855- 787-2227 with any questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint 72 hours prior to traveling.
• Apply for TSA Pre✓ or other trusted travel programs like Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. To find the program that meets your travel needs, use the DHS trusted traveler comparison tool. These programs give travelers access to TSA Pre✓expedited screening lanes; those passengers do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets at more than 180 U.S. airports. For more information about TSA Pre✓, visit the frequently asked questions page on the TSA.gov.
• 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 Contact Center at 866-289-9673.

»Patch file photo of BWI Airport