Friday starts the official beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, and this season, travelers can expect long lines at the airport.
AAA is projecting more than 1 million Marylanders will travel over the Thanksgiving weekend, more than 90% of whom will travel by car. AAA predicts almost 73,000 Marylanders will fly for the holiday amid a projected increase in air travel of 6% over last year.
Many people started their holiday travel on Friday, including the Whitmoyer family en route to the Florida Keys.
“Fishing is a big part of it. We have some connections down there, so we’re going to go down and stay at a friend’s place, try to enjoy the outdoors,” said Cody Whitmoyer.
“I’m going to Florida for the Thanksgiving break. I am student here, so, yeah, I will take some days in the nice beach in Florida,” said Carmen Medena.
Transportation Security Administration officials said they’re ready for travelers, but that their biggest message is “Know Before You Go” especially as Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is expecting to see heavy travel this holiday season.
“We really expect that we are going to see close to our 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Typically, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are our heaviest travel periods. In fact, back in 2019, the Sunday after Thanksgiving we (had) 2.9 million passengers nationwide,” said Chris Murgia, TSA’s federal security director for Maryland.
The TSA said travelers should arrive early for flights.
“(People should) give themselves at least two hours from the time they leave home to the boarding time. Give them time to get to the airport, park, check their bags in and actually go through the screening process,” said Chrishel Walker, with the TSA.
TSA officials suggest travelers empty their pockets and put wallets, keys and cellphones in their carry-on while waiting in line to get through faster.
“Listen to our instructions. Come prepared. Be ready to take out anything that’s in your pockets. Know what to pack into your carry-on bag — anything that shouldn’t be in your carry-on bag should go into your check-in bag,” Walker said.
There are some items that will need to be packed in checked baggage. If it’s a solid item, it can go through a security checkpoint. If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag.
| WHAT CAN I BRING: TSA explains how to pack Thanksgiving food for your flight
Travelers are reminded that firearms cannot go through the security checkpoint.
“There are hefty penalties for that. It could be up to $14,000. On top of that, you can also incur some criminal charges, as well,” Murgia said.
Not sure about what you can and cannot bring? Consult the TSA’s website here. Or, tweet questions to @AskTSA to find out how best to travel with a specific food item, or send a message via Facebook Messenger.
