SALT LAKE CITY - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided useful tips for those who are traveling out of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) during the end-of-the-year holiday season.
The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is underway and will continue through Tuesday, January 2. During this period, TSA is projecting higher than usual travel volumes at airports nationwide leading to reminders to arrive at the airport early and prepared. At SLC, TSA expects to screen more than 429,000 people through the airport’s security checkpoint during the holidays.
The busiest days of the holiday season locally and nationally for air travel are projected to be Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 as well as Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29, 2023. The busiest times at the security checkpoint daily are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“We at TSA have a solid plan in place to ensure that passengers who are traveling during the end-of-the-year holiday season will experience a smooth and efficient security screening process. We have coordinated our efforts with airport stakeholders to ensure a successful holiday travel period,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Utah Matt Davis. “While passengers can expect to see checkpoints staffed and lanes open, we ask all travelers to take a few minutes to prepare for the airport travel experience."
During the screening process in the security checkpoint, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secure in their carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind in the checkpoint and ending up in the local Lost and Found.
The most common thing that slows down screening at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag. This will guarantee that the traveler will experience a bag check in the checkpoint, slowing the process down for the traveler as well as reducing the overall efficiency of the screening process.
Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols (LGAs) in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of LGAs a traveler can bring into the cabin of the aircraft to 3.4 ounces, which is equivalent to 100 ml. Any liquid in a quantity greater than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.
Here are five things travelers can do to be prepared for the end-of-the-year holiday travel season:
1. Pack smart and use TSA resources.
To avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage, unpack your bag before you pack it. By starting with an empty bag or suitcase, you are less likely to bring a prohibited item to the security checkpoint. If you aren’t sure how to travel with an item, visit TSA.gov or download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872). And, as a friendly reminder, please don’t overstuff your carry-on. A cluttered bag may lead to a bag check since the TSA officer has a more difficult time getting a clear view of the contents of the bag. 
2. Place gifts in gift bags instead of wrapping them.
Wrapped items are screened just like any other item. If a wrapped item alarms the security screening technology whether in carry-on or checked luggage, a security officer may have to unwrap it to determine what the item is and confirm it does not pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag for easy access and resolution.
3. Download your Utah digital ID.
Travelers who are screened through SLC’s security checkpoint can use their Utah mobile driver license (mDL) for identity verification. Earlier this year, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Driver License Division began offering state residents the opportunity to download their mDL to an Android or iOS device. Travelers can use the Utah mDL in lieu of handing over their physical photo ID to the TSA security screening officer when entering the checkpoint.
4. Make a plan for traveling with holiday foods.
Individuals often like to travel with food items during the holiday season. Solid food items like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solids and may be transported in a carry-on bag. However, liquids and spreadable foods such as egg nog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and preserves are not solid and should be packed in checked bags. Here’s a helpful tip: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it is larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be packed in a checked bag.
5. Confirm your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your airline reservation. If you have enrolled as a Trusted Traveler, make sure your KTN and correct date of birth are in your airline reservation so you will be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. There are more than 90 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck and TSA offers the TSA PreCheck experience at every airport nationwide. Travelers 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.