Thanksgiving travel surge at Milwaukee International Airport; pack your patience
TSA officials estimate 250,000 passengers will travel in and out of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport during the 12-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period.
The holiday travel rush has officially arrived at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Thousands of Wisconsinites took to the sky Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, the Transportation Security Administration is predicting a record-breaking number of air travelers, with 30 million estimated to fly between last Friday and next Tuesday. Local TSA officials estimate 11,000 passengers will travel through MKE airport on Wednesday. Nearly 250,000 flyers will travel in and out of the airport during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel season. Many passengers were heading out to spend time with family Wednesday, some traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and others to Virginia Beach. Wisconsin Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay says MKE airport has been preparing for the influx of travelers. “We’re prepared, we’ve got our canines out fully staffed, all lanes going. We’re working with local authorities — Milwaukee County sheriffs, airport operations, the airlines, weather is good, so for all of Wisconsin, I think everything’s going to push on time,” Lendvay said. K9 officers helped to speed up the security process Wednesday, pre-screening passengers before the security checkpoint to allow travelers to keep their shoes and coats on while going through metal detectors. Passengers told 12 News they also planned ahead, making packing lists, checking the weight of their bags before they left and arriving at the airport early. TSA officials offered up some helpful tips for passengers ahead of the holiday travel: Be smart when you pack — if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it’s a liquid and needs to go in a checked bag. Have an acceptable ID out and in your hand in the screening lane.If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked bag and declare it with the airline at the ticket counter when checking in.Lendvay says Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day at MKE airport as Wisconsinites return home from the holiday. His advice is to arrive at the airport early and pack your patience.
The holiday travel rush has officially arrived at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Thousands of Wisconsinites took to the sky Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
This year, the Transportation Security Administration is predicting a record-breaking number of air travelers, with 30 million estimated to fly between last Friday and next Tuesday.
Local TSA officials estimate 11,000 passengers will travel through MKE airport on Wednesday. Nearly 250,000 flyers will travel in and out of the airport during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel season.
Many passengers were heading out to spend time with family Wednesday, some traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and others to Virginia Beach.
Wisconsin Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay says MKE airport has been preparing for the influx of travelers.
“We’re prepared, we’ve got our canines out fully staffed, all lanes going. We’re working with local authorities — Milwaukee County sheriffs, airport operations, the airlines, weather is good, so for all of Wisconsin, I think everything’s going to push on time,” Lendvay said.
K9 officers helped to speed up the security process Wednesday, pre-screening passengers before the security checkpoint to allow travelers to keep their shoes and coats on while going through metal detectors.
Passengers told 12 News they also planned ahead, making packing lists, checking the weight of their bags before they left and arriving at the airport early.
TSA officials offered up some helpful tips for passengers ahead of the holiday travel:
- Be smart when you pack — if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it’s a liquid and needs to go in a checked bag.
- Have an acceptable ID out and in your hand in the screening lane.
- If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked bag and declare it with the airline at the ticket counter when checking in.
Lendvay says Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day at MKE airport as Wisconsinites return home from the holiday. His advice is to arrive at the airport early and pack your patience.