Holiday reminders for your flight to the table
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - It's one of the busiest days at the airport all year long, the Friday before Christmas. TSA is predicting that this will be the busiest travel season in its history. Agents screen nearly two million people every day. As many as 5,000 people will swarm Richmond International Airport daily, during the holidays.
"I miss home a lot," said Private Samuel Thomas.
Thomas just finished basic training at Fort Lee, and can't wait to surprise his mom.
"I'm going to walk in. Someone is going to distract my mom, and I'm going to go behind her and say, 'Hey mom!'" described Thomas of his plan.
Thomas and 300,000 other passengers have to pass through Richmond International Airport security, during the holiday season.
TSA doesn't allow drinks through security checks, but empty bottles are allowed. You can fill it up when you get through.
Make sure to double check where presents, or anything for that matter, should be stored before you pack. Download TSA's free app. You can enter in pretty much anything, and it will tell you exactly where it's supposed to go when you fly.
If you're bringing gifts on the plane, definitely opt for a gift bag or a box that can easily be opened. Otherwise, you might have rewrap something if a TSA agent has to search it.
TSA agents say the most common security snag is people forgetting things in their pockets. Everything, including your cell phone and spare change, must be emptied and sent through the screening belt.
"Even a wad of tissues can cause the checkpoint screening machines to alarm… It's going to slow you down because your item is going to have to go through a second time, and you're going to get a pat down in that area," said Lisa Farbstein, with the Transportation Security Administration.
TSA does allow wrapped food on board as a carry-on (mom's famous apple pie), but it will have to be inspected first.
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