Record crowds are expected to pass through airports for Fourth of July trips, with Friday as the peak day, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
On Friday, TSA expects to screen a record-setting total of more than 3 million people at airport security checkpoints across the country. Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta is also expecting peak holiday period passenger counts on Friday, though perhaps not record-setting.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
TSA said it is staffed up and prepared, after increasing recruiting and reducing attrition thanks to pay increases for security screening officers.
“We are ready, along with our airline and airport partners, to handle this boost in passenger volumes,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a written statement.
To be sure, there are long lines and crowds during peak periods at the world’s busiest airport, in Atlanta.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
Early Friday morning, security wait times ranged from less than 15 minutes to more than 30 minutes, depending on the checkpoint and the time period, according to the wait times posted on the airport’s website.
Travelers should prepare for the possibility of lengthy waits and congestion on airport roads and parking lots.
Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are recommending travelers get to the terminal at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Those who need wheelchair assistance should allow even more time.
Some posted on social media about frustrations waiting in long airport security lines.
There has already been a record-breaking number of passengers traveling this summer.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
On June 23, there were 2.99 million people were screened at TSA checkpoints across the country, the most ever in a single day.
Over the Independence Day travel period across the country, TSA said it expects to screen more than 32 million people from June 27 through July 8, up 5.4% from 2023 levels.
Looking ahead, other busy days at Hartsfield-Jackson will be Sunday, July 7 and Monday, July 8, with the airport expecting to handle more than 364,000 passengers on each of those days.
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