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Airport Officials Warn Travelers To Get Ready For Holiday Travel Surge

A Delta Airlines Boeing 777
Delta Airlines

Officials at Eisenhower National Airport are urging people to prepare for an increased volume of passengers when traveling during the holiday season.

Jay Brainard, Transportation Security Administration security director for Kansas, says the Wichita airport will see a spike in the number of travelers they screen. He says the week before Thanksgiving is even busier for traveling than the week before Christmas.

"Here at Wichita, on average we screen about 2,600 people a day," Brainard says. "During the busy holiday time, that number is going to exceed 3,300."

To deal with the influx, airport officials urge travelers to use these tips to make your trip less hectic and the jobs of airport employees easier.

When packing:

  • Go to www.tsa.gov to search for specific items that can or cannot be taken on board a plane.
  • Use markers or tages to make your luggage distinguishable.
  • Place liquids and electronics in easily accessible places to help speed up TSA screening.
  • You can bring solid food but no sauces, preserved foods, or alcohol over 3.4 ounces in carry-ons.
  • Don’t bring wrapped gifts; TSA may have to unwrap and inspect the items.

Leaving for the airport:

  • Check in for your flight online up to 24 hours before departure.
  • Arrive 1 1/2 to 2 hours before your flight departs.
  • Wear easily removable shoes.
  • Enroll for TSA PreCheck to bypass some screening.

For a full list of tips go to www.flywichita.com or www.tsa.gov.

Mya Acosta is an intern in the KMUW News Lab.