MINNEAPOLIS — During the 12 days around Thanksgiving MSP officials are forecasting nearly 500,000 travelers will fly in and out of the airport. That number shows a 10% increase over last Thanksgiving.
The TSA is also preparing for a busy week. TSA Minnesota Security Director Marty Robinson said the two busiest days will be Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Sunday Dec. 1, with nearly 50,000 travelers expected each of those days.
With an increased number of travelers this week the TSA and airport officials are each sharing tips to keep the lines moving at MSP.
“If you miss a beat, you lose the rhythm,” Robinson said. “Anything that stops the flow slows everyone down and so we’re trying to prevent some of those slowdowns.”
Robinson said the most impactful slowdown happens when a traveler tries to bring a prohibited item through a TSA checkpoint.
“Whether it’s liquids over 100 ml, knives, or guns, that can really slow down the line,” Robinson said.
According to the TSA, agents seized around 5,000 guns this past year at airports across the country.
Robinson said most of those incidents happened because the traveler didn’t realize they had packed a gun or ammunition.
“This time of year, there are a lot of hunting going on and people could forget there is ammunition in their bag,” Robinson explained.
Besides slowing down the security line for yourself and other travelers, Robinson said travelers who try to bring guns or ammunition through the TSA checkpoint could be subject to heavy fines and/or jail time.
Slowdowns can also happen outside the terminal with drop-offs and pick-ups.
"To reduce congestion, we are encouraging people to use cell phone lots,” MSP spokesperson Jeff Lea said.
Drivers can park in cellphone lots for free as they wait to either drop off or pick up a traveler at the airport.
Lea says the cellphone lots are located about five minutes away from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
“We recommend drivers wait in those lots until they get a phone call from their travelers. We encourage those travelers to call after they pick up their bags and they are headed out the door,” Lea said.
At Terminal 2 drivers can also use a new express lane for drop-offs and pick-ups. The new express lane is located on level two of the Purple Ramp at Terminal 2.
"You would go into the parking ramp and then you would be guided and look for terminal two express and then you would be able to exit without having to pay,” Lea said. “The drop-off is right by the skyway so travelers can conveniently walk into the terminal.”
Travelers who are planning to park a vehicle at the airport are also encouraged to reserve a parking spot online. Lea said the MSP parking reservation website offers the best prices and ensures travelers have a parking spot waiting for them when they arrive at the airport.
"We haven't had an instance yet where we had to turn people away, so I think that's good, but you want that peace of mind. It's one less thing you have to worry about,” Lea said.
Another helpful tip for travelers is to pay attention to the wait times at both TSA security checkpoints in Terminal 1.
Both checkpoints connect with all the gates at terminal one, so travelers can use whichever checkpoint has the shorter wait time.