This holiday season is expected to be a busy one. TSA is expecting more than 25 million travelers to pass through security screening now through Nov. 26. So before you fly, please check these handy holiday travel tips to make your trip less stressful.
Tips from the Airport and Airlines
- Flights are expected to be full or almost full every day of Thanksgiving week. The airlines have reduced schedules on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, so if you are looking to fly on a less busy day, try then. Airlines have added capacity on Nov. 21 and Nov. 25, which are expected to be the busiest days.
- Check in for your flight up to 24 hours before departure time. Mobile or printed boarding passes are accepted here.
- Arrive 90 minutes before departure time in Wichita. If you’re returning from a larger airport, arrive 2 hours before departure.
- If you need assistance in any of the parking areas, or if you need your windshield scraped, a flat tire inflated, call our ABM Parking at 316-946-4772.
- Unpack before packing to make sure you have no prohibited items in your carry-on or checked bags.
- It’s best that you do not bring food through the security checkpoint because it slows down the screening process. However, if you do bring food in your carry-on, please remove those items and place them in the bin.
- Each airline has different weight and size requirements for baggage. Visit the airline’s websites so you won’t have any surprises when you arrive at the airport.
- With crowded flights, space in the overhead bins will be limited. If you gate-check your bag, make sure you have plenty of time between connections to retrieve your bag. Otherwise, check your bag.
TSA Tips
For passengers that are not Pre-Check:
- Dress for easy screening – slip-on shoes, no belts, no metal.
- Jeans with bling will set off the metal detectors. Go bling-less.
- Shoes need to be divested directly onto the x-ray conveyor belt or in a bin with nothing inside the shoes or anything on or below the shoes.
- Outer coats, jackets, as well as anything that might cause an alarm, including bulky sweatshirts and hoodies as long as the passenger is comfortable removing and he or she is wearing something underneath. Belts need to be removed because they might cause an alarm.
- Hats and scarves need to be removed because they might cause alarm.
- Everything must be removed from the passenger’s pockets.
- If you are a Pre-Check passenger, you will need to divest anything that sets off the metal detector.
If you are not a TSA Pre-check passenger, these items must be removed from carry-on prior to screening.
- Electronics that are bigger than your cell phone including CPAP, BPAP.
- Liquids, gels, aerosols, toiletries, shampoos, pastes, creams, lotions, perfumes, etc. Liquids must be 3.4 oz. or less and all fit into one, 1-quart zip-top bag.
- Medications in liquid form or pill form and vitamins.
- Belts and light jackets
- Baby Bags: Baby Wipes, formula, breast milk, diapers
If you plan to travel for Christmas, you have time to sign up for TSA Precheck. The TSA PreCheck™ office is located at New Leaf Plaza, 2021 N. Amidon, Suite 130.
Helpful Information
- Review the latest travel tips from TSA
- Security Procedures for Kids: http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-kids
Contact TSA:
- E-mail TSA at TSA-[email protected]
- TSA Contact Center – 1 (866) 289-9673
- Website: https://www.tsa.gov/travel
- Local Transportation Security Administration: (316) 361-2301
- Ask TSA “What Can I Bring? https://www.tsa.gov/blog
- Social Media – Twitter.com/TSA
