PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is seeing a significant spike in checkpoint volume this summer that is exceeding pre-pandemic levels by thousands of travelers per day.
During June, TSA recorded 15 days when checkpoint volume exceeded 18,000 individuals screened, which was an increase of up to 5,000 to 6,000 more people on peak days compared to one year ago, in June 2023. Three days last month saw checkpoint volume exceed 20,000 people who passed through the checkpoints with the biggest increase in the early morning hours from 4 to 7 a.m.
Airport statistics for June show that more than 970,000 passengers flew through PIT, the most of any month since July 2005. They also noted that airline capacity increased by 21.5 percent with additional flights added to the schedule, many of which have been added in the early morning as a result of passenger demand. During June the number of international passengers increased by 67.1 percent and the number of domestic passengers increased by 12.7 percent compared to June 2023.
“This is the busiest summer travel season we have seen here in Pittsburgh, which mirrors what we are seeing nationwide,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Pittsburgh International Airport. “The increase in the number of early morning travelers has hit a tipping point and now exceeds the capacity at our checkpoints during the peak morning travel period, so we have taken several steps to help mitigate the wait in the checkpoint lines in a focused effort to improve the passenger experience.”
“We are continuing to see growth in our market with strong passenger demand as travelers capitalize on new air service options,” said PIT Chief Development Officer Paul Hoback. “At the same time, we have worked with our TSA partners to improve the passenger experience, and we look forward to the new terminal opening next year which will bring a streamlined screening experience.”
Steps taken to help mitigate the wait times at the checkpoints are listed below.
- Passenger flow was altered to facilitate checkpoint efficiency and improve the passenger experience between the hours of 4 and 7 a.m. Mondays through Fridays, by dedicating the alternate security checkpoint exclusively to travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck®.
- TSA canines were brought into the main checkpoint security line, which enhances security while offering expedited screening to travelers by allowing them to leave their shoes on during the screening process, thus reducing the time that passengers are in the checkpoint.
- TSA and the airport encouraged the airlines to open their ticket counters earlier in the morning so that when travelers arrive at the terminal for early morning flights, they can check their bags immediately without waiting for the counter to open.
- TSA and the airport have continually messaged to the public the need for travelers to get to the airport two to three hours prior to their departure time during the peak morning hours when there are the most flights scheduled to depart.
- The airport has posted signs in the terminal to help guide travelers to the proper checkpoint in the mornings so that the TSA PreCheck passengers are headed to the alternate checkpoint that is now dedicated for their use.
When travelers find themselves in checkpoint lines, they are encouraged to do three things while waiting in line that ultimately help cut down the amount of time people are in the line.
- Remove items from pockets and place them directly into carry-on bags so that when passengers get to the stainless steel tables at the checkpoint, their pockets are already empty;
- Remove ID from wallets so that travelers have their ID in hand when they step up to TSA’s travel document checking podium;
- Finish drinking beverages before entering the checkpoint so that when in the checkpoint line, they do not have any beverages in hand or in their carry-on bags, which will result in a need to pull the passenger and their carry-ons to the side to be opened and the beverage removed.
Travelers who own firearms are strongly encouraged to go through their carry-on bags before leaving home to ensure that their guns and ammunition are not in their carry-on bags. TSA officers have intercepted 10 firearms at the checkpoints since mid-June, which slows down the checkpoint lines for other passengers. When TSA officers detect a firearm, that checkpoint lane comes to a complete stop until the police arrive and remove the firearm, traveler and their other belongings from the checkpoint.