TSA Trouble Free Food To Travel With – NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – This week, a record number of travelers will hit the roads and skies, so it might be tougher than usual to get to your Thanksgiving dinner worry-free.
The Transportation Security Administration is preparing for the busiest travel season they’ve ever seen, which could mean even longer lines at the airport.
“We think we will probably, likely to screen about 27 million passengers nationwide during that period,” said Lisa Farbstein of the TSA.
At Newark Liberty International Airport they expect to screen around 70,000 people a day during the Thanksgiving holiday, about 10,000 more passengers per day than normal.
The TSA says the agency is all hands on deck this week, but they’re asking passengers to plan ahead, get there early, and follow instructions of TSA officers.
“The last thing a TSA officer wants to do, I can assure you, is a patdown. So the TSA officers want to make sure you get through the checkpoint smoothly, and efficiently,” Farbstein said. “So what does that mean? Get here early. It’s going to be crowded.
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The terminal’s going to be congested. It’s going to take longer on the roadways, it’s gonna take longer to park your car, longer to check your bag, longer to get your boarding pass, longer to get your Starbucks. So you can expect the line to be long at the TSA checkpoint as well.”
As for what Thanksgiving food you can bring on board a plane: Stuffing, sweet potatoes, marshmallows can all be brought in a carry-on bag, but gravy, cranberry sauce and wine need to go in checked bags.
“Basically the rule of thumb is, if it’s a solid it can go in your carry-on bag,” Farbstein said. “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, it should go in your checked bag.”
The TSA recommends getting to the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours before an international flight
