SPOKANE, Wash. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects the number of people screening at security checkpoints at Spokane International Airport (GEG) this Thanksgiving holiday travel season to be the same or higher than in 2019.
Since November 1, 2022, TSA has screened an average of 2.13 million people per day at airports across the nation. With this continued high number of travelers, TSA expects security checkpoints across the country to become increasingly busy during the Thanksgiving travel season, which begins Friday, November 18th and runs through Sunday, November 27th.
The three busiest days nationwide during the Thanksgiving travel period are typically the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. The TSA may screen up to 2.5 million passengers at checkpoints nationwide on Wednesday, November 23, and could exceed 2.5 million on Sunday, November 27.
At GEG, the busiest days before Thanksgiving are expected to be Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 23, when more than 6,300 and 7,100 passengers are expected to be screened by TSA, respectively. GEG’s post-holiday busiest days will see more than 6,600 travelers screened on Saturday, Nov. 26, and more than 7,400 travelers screened on Sunday, Nov. 27. Thanksgiving day will see the fewest travelers departing GEG, with approximately 4,500 people expected to be screened.
“We expect a surge in travel both here and across the country around Thanksgiving, so the best advice for passengers is to arrive at the airport early and be prepared. During peak travel times, every step of the travel process takes longer, and this holiday season is no exception,” said Greg Hawco, TSA’s federal security director in Washington. “TSA is diligently monitoring our operations and making necessary adjustments throughout the day, including redeploying staff to checkpoints across airports and extending employee shifts. We remain committed to providing the highest level of security for travelers.”
GEG’s security checkpoint opens at 3:30 AM daily. With many flights departing early in the morning, travelers can expect to encounter large numbers of people needing screening first thing in the morning. During peak periods, passengers can expect to queue for security checks as the number of passengers needing screening may exceed the checkpoint’s capacity.
GEG’s TSA strives to staff security checkpoints based on the number of travelers expected to depart the airport at different times of the day. Here are GEG’s busiest times by checkpoint:
Checkpoint
Operating Airlines
Busiest times
AB Checkpoint
Allegiant Air
Delta Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
United Airlines
4:00AM to 6:00AM
9:00am to 4:00pm
C Checkpoint
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
4:00AM to 8:00AM
12pm to 2pm
TSA strives to get travelers through the general security screening process in under 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck® screening in under 10 minutes. As of October 2022, 91% of TSA PreCheck passengers nationwide wait less than five minutes for screening.
In 2019, the TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with about 2.9 million people screened nationwide. On the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2021, the TSA screened about 2.5 million people nationwide.
Travel Advice
TSA continues to urge travelers to arrive early and prepare for screening to ensure they complete each step of the travel process on time. To ensure a smooth process, follow these tips:
#1: Pack smart.
Take security precautions when packing and make sure your carry-on luggage does not contain any prohibited items. Bringing prohibited items through security checkpoints will result in baggage screening, slowing down the screening process for you and all passengers behind you. Also, carry-on luggage is not bulky, so do not overpack it. If your carry-on luggage is untidy, TSA officers may have to screen it.
2: Empty your pockets before you arrive at the checkpoint. Put your wallet, cell phone, keys, loose change, etc. in your carry-on bag instead of putting them in the trash. This will help ensure that your personal belongings are not left behind.
#3: Know how to travel with special holiday foods and drinks.
We know that many passengers like to travel with special foods and drinks to share with friends and family during their holidays. Please be aware that not all foods can be carried in carry-on luggage. If the food can be spread, spilled, pumped or poured and is more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), it should be packed in your checked baggage. For example, jams, jellies, sauces and wine should be packed in your checked baggage if it is more than 3.4 ounces. Cakes, pies, cookies and breads can be carried in carry-on luggage in any amount, but may be subject to additional screening.
#4: Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper.
Packaged items are screened just like any other item. If a packaged item, whether in carry-on or checked baggage, alerts security screening technology, TSA officers may have to unwrap the item to determine what it is and make sure it doesn’t pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag so they can be easily removed and screened.
#5: Download the free myTSA app and follow TSA on social media.
The myTSA app is a trusted source for last-minute questions, giving travelers 24-hour access to the most frequently requested airport security information. It also features a searchable “what you can bring” database, allowing you to type in the name of an item to see if it needs to be in your checked or carry-on luggage. The app is available in the App Store or Google Play. Travelers can also tweet or message AskTSA to get answers to last-minute questions. Live assistance is available daily from 5am to 3pm PST, including weekends and holidays.
#6: Listen to the instructions of TSA officials.
As some of you may not have traveled recently, it is important to listen carefully to the instructions provided at security checkpoints, as there may be information about new technologies that will reduce touchpoints and create a more streamlined and convenient passenger experience.
#7: Give yourself plenty of time at the airport. You may need extra time for parking, checking your bags at the airline check-in counter, going through security checkpoints, etc. Arriving early and prepared is the best option.
TSA hires TSO at GEG
Finally, TSA is immediately hiring Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to work at GEG. Starting pay is $18.59 per hour. As an incentive to join TSA, TSA will pay newly hired TSOs at GEG $2,500 upon joining and $2,500 after one year of service with TSA.
TSO benefits include paid training, annual and sick leave, medical plans for full-time and part-time employees, and a generous 401k retirement plan. TSOs are also eligible for college tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 per year. TSA does not prorate benefits for part-time employees, and veterans’ preference is not required to join TSA.
TSOs screen hundreds of air travelers each day to ensure they reach their destination safely and securely. Applicants are not required to have experience working in security or law enforcement. Newly hired TSOs participate in two weeks of standardized training with other recently hired TSOs from across the country, as well as ongoing on-the-job training.
After six months, TSOs are eligible for a pay increase and receive shift differential pay for those who work early mornings, evenings and Sundays. Overtime is also common and is paid at 1.5 times the normal wage.
“TSA is focused on recruiting and hiring dozens from the local community to ensure we have enough personnel to screen travelers departing GEG. When security operations are run in the most efficient and effective manner, the entire Inland Northwest benefits,” said TSA’s Greg Hawco. “If you’re interested in joining an established team of security professionals, consider TSA as your next career; the benefits and opportunities are unmatched.”
To begin the application process, visit https://jobs.tsa.gov. In the “TSA Job Search” box, type “TSO” in the left search box and “Spokane” in the “Location” search box on the right.
