The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expects the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to safely screen airport passengers as they make their way home from Thanksgiving festivities. This operation is a part of the ongoing commitment of DHS to maintain national security even during major holidays.
"Our mission—to protect the homeland—requires around the clock sacrifice and extraordinary dedication. During Thanksgiving, thousands of our @DHSgov personnel continue to perform their duties, often away from their families and loved ones. All week, we have championed our personnel who are protecting Americans this holiday season, to thank them for all they do to keep us safe.", said Alejandro Mayorkas.
As per TSA's official statement, according to a TSA news release, the agency has screened a record number of passengers in 2023 and expects the 12 -day period from Nov. 14 until Nov. 28, Thanksgiving travel, to be the busiest of the year. Usually, the three busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward. The agency predicted screening 2.6 million passengers on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and 2.9 million passengers on Sunday, Nov. 26, which is expected to be their busiest travel day of the year.
In addition,"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever. In 2023, we have already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske."We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working closely with our airline and airport partners to make sure we are prepared for this busy holiday travel season.We will also do our best to maintain wait time standards of under 10 minutes for TSA precheck lanes and under 30 minutes for standard screening lanes.I am grateful for our dedicated employees who continue to remain vigilant and focused on the mission during this holiday travel season and beyond."
Moreover, In 2023, TSA has already screen over 2.8 million passengers on multiple days with the busiest day in TSA history occurring on Friday, June 30, according to the media release. Roughly 2.9 million passengers were screened at checkpoints nationwide and TSA expects similar numbers during this Thanksgiving holiday travel period.
