MINNEAPOLIS — With this winter surely to be remembered as one of the nastier seasons for travel, many people are looking forward to spring break more than ever. But before spring breakers get to their sunny destinations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials are sharing some tips to make your time at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) go smoothly.
According to the TSA, Friday marks the start of spring break season.
"The spring break travel season begins around Feb. 17 and continues through April 21," TSA officials announced in a news release this week.
Officials expect this travel season to be extremely busy following the dearth of vacationers during the pandemic.
"In January, we experienced our first full month where travel volumes exceeded the same month in 2019. We fully expect to see an upward trend in travel volumes throughout 2023, including during the spring break period," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske.
Here are the numbers:
January of 2023: 60,548,380
January of 2019: 57,256,031
In 2022, MSP booked more than 31 million passengers, which is a 24% bump over numbers carried in 2021, according to the airport's year-end passenger and operations report.
TSA recommends the following six travel tips for spring break travelers in 2023:
Pack smart: Do not bring any prohibited items: firearms, explosives, flammables, knives, razors, replica weapons and more. To avoid delays, passengers should view TSA's "What Can I Bring?" page.
Remember the 3-1-1 liquids rule: Passengers are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck: In Jan. 2023, 92% of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at checkpoints nationwide, according to the TSA.
Ask TSA before you travel: Contact TSA's travel security experts over social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. Passengers may also send a text directly to 275-872 ("AskTSA") on any mobile device. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
Arrive early: Spring break travelers should give themselves plenty of time to account for traffic, parking, rental car returns, airline check-in, security and making any airport purchases before boarding a flight.
Be checkpoint ready: Arrive at the checkpoint lane with a mobile or printed boarding pass and valid ID readily available. When approaching the screening area, remember to empty your pockets and place the contents in a bin or carry-on bag. Those without TSA PreCheck must remove large electronics and 3-1-1 liquids from carry-ons.
For more information about screening, read the frequently asked questions or watch TSA's travel tips videos.