TSA at Colorado Springs expects to screen more than 100,000 people during the end-of-the-year holiday travel period.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Colorado Springs International Airport (COS) anticipates screening more than 100,000 people during the official end-of-the-year holiday season. Nationwide, TSA anticipates it will screen more than 39 million people at airports nationwide during the same period.
The official holiday travel period starts nationally and locally on Thursday, December 19, 2024, and will continue through Thursday, January 2, 2025.
The busiest days at COS during the holiday travel period are likely to be Thursday December 19, Friday December 20 and Thursday December 26. The busiest times at the COS checkpoints daily are 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. The busiest hour for TSA at COS is routinely 5 a.m., which is the time when those departing on the early morning flights are coming through the security checkpoint.
Travelers may notice that security screening procedures can vary by airport. While TSA follows strict standardized screening protocols, those procedures are dependent upon the equipment and technologies in use at any given airport. Due to these variances, it is important for travelers to listen to guidance provided by TSA officers on-site.
Below are some examples of technologies in use at COS that travelers may encounter and how those will impact the screening process.
Do I need to show a boarding pass to the TSA officer?
If Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) is in use at the entrance to the security checkpoint, no boarding pass is needed. Travelers will need to present only their photo ID to the TSA officer.
CAT units scan a traveler’s photo identification and confirm the traveler’s identity on-screen for the TSA officer. Through a secure Internet connection, CAT is also able to verify that the traveler is ticketed for travel that day and indicate the type of screening status (such as TSA PreCheck®) that the traveler is eligible for.
Because travelers under age 18 are not required to present photo identification to the TSA officer, anyone 17 and younger will need to show a boarding pass to gain entry into the security checkpoint.
TSA does recommend all travelers have their boarding pass available in case the TSA officer needs to manually inspect it or CAT is not in use.
Do I have to get my picture taken when verifying my identity?
It is never required that a traveler have a photo taken during the travel document checking process, but travelers departing COS will have that option.
TSA at COS is using the latest generation of CAT units (referred to as CAT-2) throughout all checkpoints. They are equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler in addition to scanning their photo identification. CAT-2 is able to compare the traveler’s photo on the government-issued ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the unit confirms a match, a TSA officer verifies it and the traveler can proceed to security screening. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed.
Photos captured by a CAT-2 unit are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not want to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process conducted by the TSA officer.
Do I need to remove electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids from my carry-on?
That will be determined by the type of X-ray scanner in use. The checkpoint at COS is equipped with a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner. The state-of-the-art CT scanners create a 3D image of the contents of the bag, giving the X-ray operator enhanced screening capabilities. If a CT scanner is in use, the TSA officer will advise people to leave their electronics and travel size liquids in their carry-on bags.
Screening lanes with 2-D X-ray technology require electronics and liquids to be removed from carry-on bags and travelers will need to remove electronics and travel size liquids.
Does my carry-on property have to go in a bin during screening?
Yes, if your carry-on is screened through the CT scanner, place all items in a bin. Every CT bin is equipped with an RFID tag that allows the traveler’s personal property and the associated X-ray image to be tracked throughout the screening process.
In all other lanes, your carry-on items can be placed directly on the conveyor belt. For smaller items, please secure them in your carry-on so they don’t inadvertently get left behind.
Do I need to take off my shoes?
TSA requires travelers in general screening lanes to remove their shoes during the screening process. However, travelers 12 and under as well as those 75 and older are always permitted to keep on their shoes during the security screening process.
TSA PreCheck®-eligible travelers can leave on their shoes as long as they do not alarm the security screening equipment.
Can family members go through the TSA PreCheck lane with me?
Any traveler 17 years old and under can accompany a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. TSA operates a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane at COS.
This benefit is another reason to join the more than 20 million people who have enrolled in TSA PreCheck. On average, 99% of TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers wait 10 minutes or less to be screened TSA PreCheck enrollment is now offered by three companies including Telos, CLEAR and Idemia.
Local travelers can enroll in TSA PreCheck at 5051 N. Academy Boulevard in the Union Square shopping center in Colorado Springs. For more information and to start the enrollment process, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck. An in-person visit is required to complete enrollment in TSA PreCheck.
Five things travelers can do today to be prepared for holiday travel
Unpack your bag before you pack it. To avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage, start with an empty bag or suitcase. If you aren’t sure how to travel with an item, 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).
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.
Enrolled in TSA PreCheck? Confirm your KTN is in your airline reservation.
Make sure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) and correct date of birth are in your airline reservation so you will be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. There are more than 100 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck and TSA offers the TSA PreCheck experience at every airport nationwide.
Make a plan for traveling with holiday foods. Most foods can be carried through the TSA checkpoint, but there are some items that will need to be transported in checked baggage. If the item is a solid, then it can go through a checkpoint in a carry-on. However, if you can spread it, spill it, pump it or pour it - and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) - then it should travel in a checked bag.
Food items often need some additional security screening, so TSA recommends placing those items in a clear plastic bag or other container when packing them at home and then removing those items from your carry-on bag and placing them in a bin for screening at the checkpoint.
Plan 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.
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