SEATTLE - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for high passenger volumes during the Fourth of July travel period at airports nationwide including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). With single day records being set recently for the number of passenger screened at airports nationwide, TSA is advising air travelers to arrive at the airport early and prepared for every step of the travel process.
TSA nationally expects to screen more than 28 million people between Friday, June 28 through Monday, July 8. This is a 5.4% increase over 2023 Independence Day holiday travel volumes. Locally, TSA projects it will screen more than 725,000 people at SEA during the same 11-day period.
TSA anticipates the peak travel day will be Sunday, July 7, when the agency expects to screen more than 3 million individuals at 434 airports. Locally, TSA at SEA expects to screen nearly 74,000 people today, making it perhaps the busiest day of the Fourth of July holiday travel period and potentially the busiest day ever at for TSA locally. TSA staffs to meet its wait time standards, which are 10 minutes and under in TSA PreCheck® lanes and 30 minutes and under in standard screening lanes.
High travel volumes and busy security checkpoints have become the norm lately. Twelve of the agencies Top 15 busiest travel days nationally have occurred since mid-May.
At SEA, TSA had its second and third busiest days ever in the past week. On Sunday, June 23, 2024, TSA at SEA screened more than 72,900 people, which ranks second overall; on Friday, June 21, 2024, TSA at SEA had its third busiest day ever when more than 72,700 people were screened.
The busiest times at the SEA checkpoints daily are 5 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The single busiest hour for TSA at SEA is 9 a.m., which is the time when those departing on the late morning flights are coming through the security checkpoint.
The busiest days of the week at SEA during the summer months are Thursdays through Mondays. Regardless of your flight departure time or day of the week, this summer all travelers - no matter at what airport - will need to arrive early and prepared for every step of the air travel experience.
“We have been anticipating the arrival of the Fourth of July travel period and planning our security operations to ensure that we are prepared for the surge in travelers who will be coming to the airport. TSA officers will be on the job to ensure travelers have a smooth trip through SEA,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “We are asking travelers to be good partners with TSA and ensure that they are prepared for the screening process. Please don’t bring prohibited items in your carry-on luggage and allow plenty of time for every step of the travel process. We look forward to making good on our plans to deliver top notch security in the most efficient manner.”
Final advice from TSA
Here are some tips to help all travelers have a smooth trip through the security checkpoint at any airport:
- Arrive at the airport early and prepared. Allow ample time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage and proceed through the TSA security screening checkpoint. Keep in mind that most flights board 30 - 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
- Be prepared for any scenario. In the security checkpoint, have your photo identification and boarding pass ready. This will keep you from slowing down the screening process for you and everyone behind you.
- Listen to directions provided by TSA officers. The advisements are specific to the type of screening you will experience. The information given will make your screening experience quicker and smoother.
- Pack smart. Always start with an empty bag to ensure you don’t inadvertently bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint. Place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids at the top of your carry-on so they can be easily accessed if you are required to remove them. Also, be sure that all liquids are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if transporting them through the security checkpoint.
- Get assistance prior to traveling. Ensure that carry-ons do not contain prohibited items since they slow down the security screening process. To determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage, 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).