ٹرانسپورٹیشن سیکیورٹی ایڈمنسٹریشن (TSA) نے اس سال مسافروں کی ریکارڈ تعداد کی اسکریننگ کی ہے اور توقع ہے کہ ملک بھر میں ہوائی اڈے کی حفاظتی چوکیاں اس چھٹی کے سفر کے موسم میں پہلے سے کہیں زیادہ مصروف ہوں گی۔

سیزن کا آغاز تھینکس گیونگ ٹریول کے ساتھ ہوتا ہے، جو جمعہ، 17 نومبر کو شروع ہوتا ہے اور منگل، 28 نومبر کو اختتام پذیر ہوتا ہے۔ 12 دن کی مدت کے دوران، TSA 30 ملین مسافروں کی اسکریننگ کی توقع ہے۔ تاریخی طور پر، تین مصروف ترین سفری دن تھینکس گیونگ سے پہلے منگل اور بدھ اور اس کے بعد اتوار ہیں۔ TSA منگل، 2.6 نومبر کو 21 ملین مسافروں کی اسکریننگ کر رہا ہے۔ بدھ 2.7 نومبر کو 22 ملین مسافر اور اتوار 2.9 نومبر کو 26 ملین مسافر، جو ممکنہ طور پر مصروف ترین سفری دن ہو گا۔

"ہم توقع کرتے ہیں کہ چھٹیوں کا یہ موسم ہمارا اب تک کا مصروف ترین ہوگا۔ 2023 میں، ہم نے پہلے ہی TSA کی تاریخ کے 10 مصروف ترین سفری دنوں میں سے سات دیکھے ہیں،" TSA ایڈمنسٹریٹر ڈیوڈ پیکوسکے نے کہا۔ "ہم متوقع حجم کے لیے تیار ہیں اور اپنی ایئر لائن اور ہوائی اڈے کے شراکت داروں کے ساتھ مل کر کام کر رہے ہیں تاکہ یہ یقینی بنایا جا سکے کہ ہم چھٹیوں کے اس مصروف سیزن کے لیے تیار ہیں۔ ہم TSA PreCheck® لین کے لیے 10 منٹ سے کم اور معیاری اسکریننگ لین کے لیے 30 منٹ سے کم انتظار کے وقت کے معیار کو برقرار رکھنے کی بھی پوری کوشش کریں گے۔ میں اپنے سرشار ملازمین کا شکر گزار ہوں جو چھٹیوں کے سفر کے اس موسم اور اس کے بعد بھی چوکس رہتے ہیں اور مشن پر توجہ مرکوز کرتے ہیں۔

TSA نے 2.8 میں اب تک 2023 ملین سے زیادہ مسافروں کی اسکریننگ کے ساتھ متعدد دن ریکارڈ کیے ہیں۔ TSA کی تاریخ میں سب سے زیادہ مسافروں کی اسکریننگ والیوم کا موجودہ ریکارڈ جمعہ 30 جون کو تھا۔ اس دن، ٹرانسپورٹیشن سیکیورٹی آفیسرز (TSOs) نے تقریباً 2.9 ملین اسکریننگ کی ملک بھر میں چیک پوائنٹس پر مسافر۔ TSA ممکنہ طور پر اس تھینکس گیونگ چھٹیوں کے سفر کے دورانیے سے اس ریکارڈ سے تجاوز کر جائے گا۔

مزید برآں، اب TSA PreCheck میں 17.6 ملین سے زیادہ مسافروں کا اندراج ہے، جو کہ اب تک ریکارڈ کی گئی سب سے زیادہ رقم ہے اور پچھلے سال اس بار کے مقابلے میں 3.9 ملین زیادہ TSA PreCheck اراکین کی نمائندگی کرتی ہے۔

مسافروں کو ہوائی اڈے پر پہنچنے سے پہلے ان اہم نکات کو ذہن میں رکھنا چاہیے:

Pack smart; start with empty bags. Passengers who start with an empty bag while packing are less likely to bring prohibited items through the checkpoint. Certain foods, such as gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves must be packed in a checked bag because they are considered to be liquids or gels. If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it is a liquid and must be packed in your checked bag. As always, passengers may bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the TSA checkpoint. Check for prohibited items by using the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov. or just ask @AskTSA.

Bring an acceptable ID and have it out in the screening lane. Before heading to the airport, travelers must make sure they have acceptable identification. Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process. At many checkpoints, the TSO may ask you to insert your physical ID into one of our Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units, where a boarding pass is not needed.The second generation of CAT, called CAT-2, is currently deployed to 25 airports and adds a camera and smartphone reader to the other CAT features. The camera captures a real-time photo of the traveler at the podium and compares the traveler’s photo on the identification credential against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, the TSO verifies and directs the traveler for appropriate security screening without ever exchanging a boarding pass. Photos are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Passenger participation is voluntary and if a passenger chooses not to have their photo taken, they may have their identity verified manually instead without losing their place in line.

Arrive early. The airport will be busy this week, so arrive two hours prior to your scheduled flight to allow for adequate time to park your car or arrive via public transit or rideshare, check bags and go through security screening before arriving at the gate.

If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked bag and declare it with the airline at the ticket counter when checking in. Passengers are prohibited from packing firearms in carry-on luggage and bringing them to the airport security checkpoint and onboard aircraft. Bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is expensive and time-consuming and can cause delays. The maximum civil penalty for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint is nearly $15,000. Additionally, it will result in the loss of TSA PreCheck eligibility for up to five years.

Be aware of new checkpoint screening technology. TSA uses a variety of security methods and technologies to secure our transportation systems. Screening protocols vary from airport to airport, depending on available technology and the current threat environment. Some airports have installed new state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) scanners which significantly improve threat detection capabilities for carry-on bags and reduce physical searches of bag contents for prohibited items. CT units give TSOs the ability to review 3-D images of passengers’ bags, so passengers screened in security lanes with CT units do not need to remove their 3-1-1 liquids or laptops. With CT units, all travelers must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening.

Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck and ensure you have the TSA PreCheck mark on your boarding pass. TSA’s trusted traveler program now has more than 90 participating airlines, is available at more than 200 airports and has two authorized enrollment providers. Those enrolled enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening. The five-year membership costs just $78. After submitting an online application, which takes just five minutes, applicants must schedule an appointment at any of the 500 plus enrollment centers. After a successful enrollment center visit, most new enrollees will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days. Members may renew their membership online up to six months prior to expiration for another five-year term for $70. Most TSA PreCheck members wait less than five minutes at the checkpoint. Children 12 and younger may join TSA PreCheck family members in the TSA PreCheck screening lanes. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults in the dedicated lanes when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. TSA PreCheck passengers must ensure that their KTN, along with correct date of birth, is in their airline reservation.

Call ahead to request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers who need assistance may call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs.

Text or direct message us @ AskTSA. Get your questions answered before you head to the airport. Travelers can get assistance in real time by texting their question to #275-872 (“AskTSA”) or through @AskTSA on X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook Messenger. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7, while staff is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET daily, including holidays and weekends. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Remain aware. Travelers should report suspicious activities, and remember: If You See Something, Say Something.

Pack an extra dose of patience, especially during higher passenger volume travel days, and show gratitude to those who are working diligently over the holidays and every day to get everyone to their destinations safely.