JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leaders at the Jacksonville International Airport are expecting record breaking numbers for this Thanksgiving travel season and they say the airport's newly expanded TSA checkpoint will help get travelers to their gate quicker.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday and Monday after will be the busiest travel days at the Jacksonville International Airport, but already travelers are filling the terminals.
Around 14,000 passengers are expected to go through TSA on each of those days. The expanded TSA screening area will help.
“This wide open layout really helps us to move a lot of traffic through Jacksonville International Airport," Michael Stewart, representative with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, said.
Leaders are reminding passengers to take large liquids and weapons out of carry-on baggage. Throwing stars, gun-shaped lighters and knifes are just some of the items removed by agents.
"In 2023 TSA officers have detected 65 firearms of which most were loaded. At the current pace, we anticipate we could see another 10 before the end of the year. We encourage everyone in the public to not be one of those 10," Chris Baden, assistant Federal Security Director of TSA of North Florida, said. "If you absolutely must travel with a firearm, it needs to be in your check luggage."
Solid food items (meats, mac and cheese, pies) are able to be taken in the carry on, but anything that is liquid or spreadable (cranberry sauce, jellies, gravy) will need to be in checked luggage.
"If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it's larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to go into your checked baggage," Baden, said.
Parking lots are expected to reach full capacity. To help, a third economy lot will be opened Wednesday morning, drivers can pre-pay a one time fee and the lot will be open for 12 days.
The biggest tips, get to the terminal 2 hours before departure.
“Arrive early, no guns at the check point, be prepared for the screening process and try not to bring over-large or to many items through the checkpoint," Baden, said.
JAX is now participating in the new ‘My TSA App’ which travelers can use to see expected wait times. You can download that right to your phone and search for the Jacksonville Airport.
Passengers with questions about what is allowed in TSA can text message the word Text "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872) Passengers can also call 855-787-2227 to arrange for any additional assistance.