USA Returns to Pre-Pandemic Airport Activity

During the Labor Day 2022 holiday weekend, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 8.76 million travelers between Friday and Monday. This airport activity represents 102% of the volume for the same pre-pandemic holiday weekend in 2019.

Friday marked the heaviest travel day when TSA Security Officers screened 2.48 million passengers.

And it is the first time that a holiday weekend TSA passenger screening volume exceeds that of 2019.

“TSA’s highly trained and dedicated workforce facilitated secure travel for millions of passengers during the busy summer travel season with very little disruptions at the checkpoint,” said TSA Acting Administrator David Pekoske. “We were also able to continue the deployment of new technologies that facilitate stronger identity verification procedures and enhanced security screening for carry-on bags.”

And through effective collaboration among airlines and airports, over the Labor Day weekend, about 95% of TSA PreCheck® passengers waited less than 5 minutes.

This data compares with about 91% of passengers in standard screening lanes waiting less than 15 minutes.

An additional benefit of the expedited TSA PreCheck screening program is travelers leave on shoes, jackets, and belts, which enables them to keep their electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in their carry-on bags.

Passengers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures or to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint as well as arrange for assistance at the checkpoint.

Separately, the U.S. CDC issues travel Health Notices informing travelers about current issues in destinations that impact travelers’ health, like dengue, polio, and yellow fever outbreaks.

Furthermore, the CDC suggests various travel vaccines people should discuss with their healthcare provider.

And the U.S. Department of State publishes Safety and Security Alerts that are searchable at this weblink.

As travelers prepare to embark on future trips, they may submit questions about TSA checkpoint procedures via Twitter at @AskTSA.

Passengers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures or to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint as well as arrange for assistance at the checkpoint.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes fact-checked, research-based travel vaccine news curated for mobile readership.