DETROIT (WWJ) -- Holiday travel season is officially underway and the Travel Security Administration is issuing a warning -- watch your weapons.
The TSA’s Steve Lorincz tells WWJ’s Sandra McNeill that as more people are becoming gun owners, Detroit Metro Airport is seeing an increase in gun confiscations.
Lorincz says DTW has seen an increase of about 40% compared to recent years, but he says the airport isn’t near the top of the list when it comes to confiscations compared to other airports across the U.S.
Lorincz says there’s an easy way around getting your gun confiscated at the airport -- check on the airline website and TSA website to make sure you’re following all the rules.
The TSA’s website says travelers may transport unloaded firearms in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Travelers also must declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking luggage at the ticket counter.
A full list of guidelines is available here.
Aside from warning travelers on that front, Lorincz says so far, holiday travel season is going smoothly at DTW, but he’s encouraging travelers to “pack your patience.”
That includes being kind to one another, being kind to TSA agents, and following COVID-19 protocols in the airport.
Lorincz tells WWJ it’s federal law that everyone wears a mask at the airport, and some who disagree with those rules have caused quite the headache for TSA agents across the country.
“At times, unfortunately, they have been assaulted,” he said, though there haven’t been any issues at DTW.
Lorincz says despite the labor shortage across the country, there is no shortage of agents to check people in at the Detroit airport. So far this week, all lines have been open and moving quickly.
Wednesday is expected to be the busiest day of the week as travelers head to or from metro Detroit for Thanksgiving. DTW officials expect twice the travel volume this holiday season compared to 2020.
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Meanwhile, those who may not have traveled recently might notice something different at Detroit Metro -- many of the shops and restaurants have closed, due to the pandemic.
Airport spokesperson Erica Donerson says about 25% of the retail shops at the McNamara and North Terminals have shut down, while others have reduced hours.
"The staffing shortages and the supply shortages we’re seeing around the country are impacting airports around the country -- which many people don’t expect," Donerson said.
DTW has held two job fairs recently, in hopes of increasing staffing numbers in order to be able to expand hours and keep restaurants and retail open.
Donerson says they're trying to avoid the closures from becoming permanent. Most of the concessions are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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