The Transportation Security Administration is urging people planning flights over Memorial Day weekend to plan ahead. Over the next week, TSA expects to screen 18 million people, 6.4% more than last year and a record for the holiday period.
"It's going to be busy, so the most important tip is prepare. Prepare and arrive early," says TSA's Patricia Mancha.
People can check tsa.gov to search a list of items if they have questions about whether something is allowed in carry-ons, checked bags or not at all. Passengers can also send messages to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger if they have questions.
Mancha says the start of summer travel means more novice fliers and families will be passing through security, so the process may take longer.
"Often, people are rushed. They get aggressive, they get stressed, they don't want to miss their flight," she says. "We just remind travelers aggression at the airport may lead to arrest, so make sure you bring your zen."
Mancha says your zen might include showing up earlier for a flight and checking ahead of time to confirm what can be brought through security. Around summer holidays, she says TSA will see more fireworks.
"One of those 'not-at-all' items is fireworks," she says. "With summer coming, a lot of people really love to go at it with fireworks. If you like that, that's great, but wait until you get to your destination to purchase them because they should not be on a plane at all."
Mancha says TSA is also seeing a record number of guns at checkpoints. Texas allows people to carry guns without a permit, but federal law applies on airplanes. She says people can travel with guns, but they must be unloaded and packed in checked luggage in a locked, hard-sided container. Passengers must also declare them when they check their bags.
"TSA is not against the second amendment," she says. "If people want to travel with their firearms, please do so. We just ask you follow a few simple rules."
DFW Airport is expecting its busiest summer ever with 25 million passengers through July.
The airport says 1.5 million people are expected to pass through over the next week. DFW says its busiest day will be Friday with 260,000 passengers.
DFW urges people to use the airport's app or website to check flights. People can also prepay for parking, check security wait times and order food. More information is available at https://www.dfwairport.com/ .
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