TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa International Airport is expecting to see more than 40,000 people pass through the facility on Wednesday, as the busiest part of the Thanksgiving travel week kicks in.
Airport officials said recent upgrades are helping the TSA move traffic through quickly.
What You Need To Know
TPA expecting 40,000 passengers moving through the facility on Wednesday
Airport officials said while TPA will be busy, it won’t be the busiest on record as many travelers were unsure about the shutdown and opted to drive or take a train
CHECK YOUR FLIGHTS: Tampa International Airport
“Another enhancement that we added earlier this year is our family lanes,” said Dave Stewart, the TSA Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening. “Which we have on every checkpoint as well, that allows families traveling with small children 12 and under to be able to experience a slightly less harried experience as they go through the checkpoint wait period.”
Also helping speed things up: Every TSA checkpoint now has the newest screening technology. Specifically, the computed tomography X-ray equipment.
That means instead of wondering which TSA line you have to take out which things, items that previously had to be removed from carry ons, like your laptop, can stay inside.
But overall, this won’t be the busiest Thanksgiving for air travel at TPA.
Airport officials said that because of the government shutdown, travelers weren’t sure how predictable flying would be.
Some travelers decided to drive or take the train instead.
“This (Thanksgiving) one we’re looking at 80 plus million people hitting the highways,” said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, FHP. “And it’s going to be a little exasperated by the airline issues…recovering from the government shutdown. So we’re expecting not only a lot of traffic but a lot of traffic on the highways.”
Meanwhile, Wednesday morning at TPA, officials said things are busy but not all the flights are full.
Also, some economy parking spots are available, as well as the long term garage for parking is remaining open.