From expected wait times to which Thanksgiving sides will clear security.

Braving abusy airportduring Thanksgiving is a necessary evil for those looking to clock some kinsfolk time over this gratitude - themed vacation . TSA is bracing for a particularly busy traveling week — in fact , it ’s projected to be the busy on disc at about 18.3 million hoi polloi between November 26 and December 2 , concord toa statement .

The estimation of that many mass remain firm in melodic phrase for the metal detector already sounds like a doozy . It vocalize even more impose when you liken to travel numbers in late years . Since 2022 , there ’s been a 17 % increase in rider volume . Doing some quick mathematics , you ’re face at an increase of more than one million travelers in two years .

“ The 10 meddling travel day in TSA ’s history have all occur in 2024 , and we prognosticate that trend to continue , ” say TSA Administrator David Pekoske . “ Working alongside our airport and airline partners and the FAA , we have optimized staffing and will do our best to sustain our delay clock time standards : less than 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck lanes and less than 30 minute for received showing lanes . ”

busy tsa airport security lines

Photo by Jim Lambert/Shutterstock

Want to avoid some of the chaos ? Transportation Security Administration contrive the three busiest change of location days will be Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday , so consider book travel on other solar day .

To make thing go a number smoother , your well-disposed locality TSA agents have provided locomotion peak to hopefully shave some time off your forthcoming airport prison term .

Start with an empty bag

It all take off with the bag you ’re land . Many prohibited items end up at the aerodrome by chance event , according to the TSA . So with this tip , you ’re much less likely to accidentally take in prohibited items . As someone who once curb up the line for unintentionally bring my mini embroidery scissors through bag hinderance , it ’s a good call . If you must use the backpack you take everywhere , fullyempty it out before you go ahead with packing your Thanksgiving necessary .

The ‘it’ rules

If you may “ spill it , spray it , diffuse it , pump it , or decant it , ” TSA agents need that it ’s put in a checked bag if it outgo the standard 3.4 - ounce allowance . This include Thanksgiving offering like gravy , cranberry sauce , wine , jam , and preserves — all are considered liquidity or colloidal gel . Solidfoods areallowed through TSA in a carry - on bag , so go ahead and pack a little bomb for the route .

Check yourself

If you ’re diffident if a particular Thanksgiving dish or travel essential will light up security , there ’s a manner to find out before you ’re staring down the barrel of the line you ’re holding up . confer with the“What Can I Bring?”page on TSA ’s website . Or just ask@AskTSA , and everyone will be thankful for you this vacation season .