SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for increased passenger volume at South Bend International Airport (SBN) this weekend and is reminding all travelers to arrive two hours before their flight.
“We’re thrilled that football is back and look forward to celebrating alongside the many Notre Dame fans expected to depart South Bend after this weekend’s home opener,” Indiana TSA Federal Security Director Aaron Batt said. “We recommend travelers arrive in plenty of time and pack smart, which means not bringing firearms or other prohibited items to the checkpoint.”
Arriving two hours before departure is encouraged so passengers will have enough time to complete all steps of their travel journey – including parking their car, checking in with the ticketing counter, checking luggage, going through TSA screening, and proceeding to the gate. Additionally, passengers must check any luggage that exceeds the standard carry-on size, as a new Computed Tomography scanner installed at SBN earlier this year cannot accommodate oversized bags.
“It’s always exciting to welcome football fans to SBN,” said Mike Daigle, SBN’s CEO and executive director. “The combination of additional flights and larger aircraft surrounding the Notre Dame home football games leads to many more people traveling through SBN. It’s important for all passengers to arrive two hours prior to their scheduled departure.”
For those who choose to travel this weekend or throughout the rest of the year, follow these five simple tips to get through the TSA checkpoint quickly and efficiently.
Tip 1: Face masks are optional, but recommended. The CDC recommends face masks for passengers aged two and older in indoor areas of public transportation and transportation hubs as an effective precaution for those who seek to avoid exposure to COVID in higher risk public spaces. CDC provides health recommendations for domestic travel during COVID-19 and for international travel on its website at CDC.gov.
Tip 2: Pack smart; start with empty bags. Airline passengers who pack for travel with empty bags are less likely to bring prohibited items through a TSA checkpoint. Technology and modifications help reduce the need for physical contact with TSA officers, but those who take time to come prepared for the TSA checkpoint are far more likely to avoid delay and physical contact. Check for prohibited items by using the “What Can I Bring?” page on TSA.gov.
Tip 3: Know before you go. Airports, like highways, have high traffic surges. Plan to arrive at the airport in plenty of time (two hours is recommended at SBN) to check in, check bags and complete security screening in time to avoid stressful sprints to the departure gate. At the TSA checkpoint, have a valid ID card readily available and follow the liquids rule of 3.4 ounces or less, with the exception of hand sanitizer, which has a temporary 12-ounce limit in carry-on baggage.
Tip 4: Contact TSA for help if there are questions or concerns. Those who are preparing to travel and may have special circumstances, considerations or general questions about airport screening can get live assistance by tweeting questions and comments to @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
TSA also offers TSA Cares, a helpline for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. You may submit a request for assistance by calling TSA Cares at 855-787-2227, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends/holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passengers may also use the TSA Cares form available on the TSA website which can be found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support.
Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck® to “Travel with Ease.” By enrolling in TSA PreCheck, airline passengers can avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. Most new enrollees receive their known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years. In August, 95% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes at the checkpoint.
For additional information about security screening or more travel tips, visit TSA.gov.