Officials expect more than 80,000 departing passengers at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field over the winter holiday season, and Transportation Security Administration officials are reminding passengers to bring their Real ID and to know what items can and can’t be carried in carry-on bags when boarding an airplane.
Heather Kendrick, marketing and communications coordinator at Clinton National, said in an email Thursday 82,640 passengers are expected to fly in or out of the airport between Dec. 14 and Jan. 4. That would be a 5% year-over-year increase for Clinton National.
“Sunday, Dec. 28, is predicted to be the airport’s busiest day, with 4,526 departing passengers,” Kendrick said in the email. “Airport officials encourage passengers to allow extra time — arriving at least two hours before their scheduled departure — especially for early-morning flights and when assistance is needed at the airline ticket counter.”
This holiday season is gearing up to be the busiest winter holiday season nationally in terms of air travel. AAA expects about 8.03 million travelers will take domestic flights between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, a 2.3% increase over last year.
“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations.”
Knowing what to bring and what to leave at home will make things go smoother, and that starts with having a Real ID, a state-issued identification that meets higher federal security standards and typically has a star in the top right corner.
Gervais Joubert, a regional spokesperson for TSA, said during a media event Thursday at Clinton National that Real ID rules already are being enforced in airports across the country.
“If you don’t have a Real ID or an acceptable form of ID, you can expect delays at the airport because you may have extra screening before you get to the checkpoint,” Joubert said. “Starting February 1, if you don’t have a Real ID or an acceptable form of ID, passengers will have the option to pay a $45 fee to have their identity verified through TSA’s modernized alternative identity verification process that’s called Confirm ID.”
A passport book or passport card also is an acceptable form of identification that can be used. A full list of acceptable forms of identification can be found on the TSA’s website.
Passengers at security checkpoints also should ensure their pockets are empty and they have their acceptable form of ID and ticket ready to go in an effort to keep the line moving.
Standing behind a table full of prohibited carry-on items Thursday at Clinton National, TSA officer Bonnie Sedgebeer suggested passengers begin their packing with an empty bag to avoid accidentally having a prohibited item in their bag.
Prohibited items include weapons such as guns, tasers, pepper spray, grenades and pocket knives, toy weapons such as Nerf guns, and liquids of more than 3.4 ounces. Most of these items can be carried in a checked bag, Sedgebeer said, but travelers should inquire with the airline beforehand if they plan to travel with a weapon.
Sedgebeer said any gifts travelers are taking in carry-on luggage should remain unwrapped, and suggested putting gifts in a gift bag or bringing wrapping material so gifts can be wrapped at the destination.
