Transportation Security Administration sets screening record during 2018 spring travel period

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) set a new screening record during the 2018 spring travel period, March 15 through April 15.

TSA screened more than 72 million passengers and almost 45 million checked bags, a nearly 5 percent increase over the same period last year.

Of all passengers screened, 95.3 percent waited less than 20 minutes at the checkpoint and 92.5 percent of passengers who were in a TSA Pre✓ lanes waited less than five minutes, TSA said.

The busiest airports during the spring travel season were Los Angeles International (LAX), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Chicago-O’Hare International (ORD).

“Our officers continue to be very effective even with a record number of travelers this season,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske, said. “What’s even more impressive is that TSA completed the roll-out of enhanced screening procedures while screening nearly five percent more passengers than last year, thanks to our skilled and dedicated people.”

The enhanced screening procedures require travelers to put all electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. TSA officers may also ask travelers to separate dense foods, powders and other items to allow screening officers to obtain a clear X-ray image. The roll-out of the new measures began at several airports in late summer 2017.

On an average travel day, TSA screens approximately 2.1 million passengers and crew. On the busiest days during the holiday travel period, TSA screened up to 400,000 more passengers per day than usual.