TSA preparing for record number of travelers over 4th of July holiday
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Officials are expecting record-high numbers as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.
"TSA is prepared for the highest traveler volumes that our agency has ever seen," said Christine Assili with TSA.
And they want passengers to come prepared.
TSA officials stressed that firearms are not permitted through security checkpoints and must be properly stowed in checked baggage.
READ MORE: PHL expecting record July 4th travel as American Airlines adds hundreds of flights
They also showed items confiscated within an hour at Philadelphia International Airport.
In the bin were plenty of liquids in containers larger than three ounces -- also a tiny golf club and several pocket knives.
"Something like this can travel," said Lisa Farbstein with TSA public affairs as she held up a small knife. "The proper way to do it is put it in your checked bag."
Officials with American Airlines - the largest carrier in Philadelphia - say they're adding 550 flights over the next few days to make sure they can handle the holiday surge.
AAA is projecting nearly one million Philadelphia area residents will travel 50 miles or more over the 4th of July travel period, and nearly 810,000 of them will be traveling by car.
"It's been bumper to bumper traffic," said Greg Nichols, who was headed to the shore on Friday.
Tom Ferguson was also trying to get to the airport to pickup family.
"I guess with the holiday coming up everybody's trying to get a head start on things," said Ferguson.
AAA says with many still taking advantage of remote work flexibility, this is expected to be one of the busiest 4th of July weeks ever.
Some of the worst days for drivers in major cities like Philadelphia are Wednesday, July 3, when everyone is leaving, and Sunday, July 7, when they return.
