The Transportation Security Administration is warning travelers that this Labor Day weekend will be one for the record books. As a result, travelers should budget extra time for security and everything else that comes with air travel.
With 17.4 million people expected to fly over the holiday weekend — Thursday, Aug. 28, through Wednesday, Sept. 3 — this will likely be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, according to the TSA.
The TSA screens an average of 2.4 million passengers a day, but Friday will be the busiest day at airports, with the TSA expecting to screen nearly 3 million people. TSA said that seven of the ten busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come since May 23!
The weather is expected to be mixed, with rainstorms and some thunderstorms possible for parts of the country, especially the southern United States. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather at the airports at your departure and arrival points in case storms shut down airport runways or cause canceled flights.
Recommendations from TSA for busy airports
The TSA has a list of recommendations for travelers:
- Arrive at your airport early.
- Please ensure that you have an acceptable form of ID with you. The full list is available at tsa.gov/ID.
- Please don’t engage in or instigate any unruly behavior. Violence at an airport or aboard aircraft will not be tolerated.
- Double-check to make sure you didn’t leave any prohibited items in your bag. If you’re not sure what can or can’t fly, contact @AskTSA on X.
TPG tips for navigating the crowds
Here are TPG’s tips for a successful airport journey:
Arrive early
For all you nervous travelers, we recommend that you arrive at least two hours before a flight’s boarding time for domestic trips and three hours early for international journeys.
That gives you enough time to park, check bags, navigate the TSA checkpoint and walk to your gate. I always remind people that most airports have plenty of things to do these days to pass the time, so if you have a few extra minutes, it’s not a bad thing. If you have extra time, grab some food or do some shopping.
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Have a plan B
Delays and cancellations happen, and this summer, extreme weather has been common, leading to many delayed or canceled flights.
Related: Key travel tips you need to know
If you are facing a delay or cancellation, you’ll be competing with potentially hundreds of other passengers for limited seats. That means you’ll want to be among the first to be rebooked.
It also means there will probably be a long line at your airline’s customer service desk.
Download your airline’s mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you’ll also learn of any delays first. Most airlines even allow you to rebook yourself in the app.
Related: Don’t wait on hold: Here’s how to reach airline customer service quickly
We recommend heading to the customer service desk (or lounge desk if you have access). If there’s a delay, you should also get on the phone with the airline or contact it via social media. Sometimes, an airline’s representative on X will help you faster than a phone or in-person agent can. You have to use every tool at your disposal when things go south.
Many airlines now have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.
Be your own best advocate
Travelers have to be their own best advocates to get ahead of any possible travel nightmares.
First, be smart when booking. Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You’ll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of an airline misplacing your luggage during a transfer.
You could also take one of the first flights of the day, as those are least likely to face afternoon thunderstorms and most likely to depart on time. We’ve even compiled five reasons to book the first flight of the day with all the data.
Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed — here’s what you should do next
I always have an alternate plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I’m booked in case something goes awry. This way, I’ll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.
Also, save all the receipts for the expenses you incur during delays or cancellations. You’ll want excellent documentation in case of meltdowns like the one Southwest Airlines passengers experienced during the 2022 holiday season.
If you’re stuck at an airport for an extended period, seek out your airport’s secret quiet spaces for a brief (free) escape from the travel chaos.
Get through airport security faster
According to the TSA, you can usually expect to wait 30 minutes or less in a standard TSA screening lane, but the standard wait time for the TSA PreCheck lane is 10 minutes or less. Plus, if you enroll in TSA PreCheck, you don’t have to take out your liquids or laptops at security. If you aren’t yet enrolled in TSA PreCheck, we have a handy list of which airlines and airports participate in the program and everything you need to know before you apply.
Once you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you must add your Known Traveler Number to your booking in order to use the service at the airport. Then, make sure you see the PreCheck symbol displayed on your boarding pass when you check in for your flight. If you don’t see it, you will need to contact the airline you are flying with before heading to the airport.
A five-year membership to TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85, depending on the provider you enroll through. If you travel internationally often, however, you may want to opt for Global Entry, which costs $120 for five years. A TSA PreCheck membership is included with Global Entry, so you can enjoy both programs if you opt for Global Entry.
Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is more beneficial?
You may also want to consider a Clear membership. Clear is an expedited security program that verifies your identity using biometric data (an eye or fingerprint scan). This removes the step of having to show your ID to the TSA officer and lets you skip to the front of the security line (either the front of the TSA PreCheck screening line for those with Clear and TSA PreCheck or the standard TSA screening line for those without). A Clear membership costs $209 annually. If you don’t want to pay the full cost, there are also ways to get a discounted Clear membership.
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