FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — After weeks of waiting in long lines at the security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport, some changes aimed at reducing wait times are now in effect.
Emma Swanson and her family were headed to Savannah, Georgia, on Monday when they encountered long lines there.
“We thought it would be a little longer than previous years,” Swanson said. “But this is probably the longest I’ve been in my entire life.”
Some people had made full preparations, yet they were giving tough competition.
“We got here early,” said passenger Ryan Johnson. “But we couldn’t get our bags checked in until 4 o’clock — Air Canada had opened.”
The Transportation Security Administration announced last month He said they are changing the process for how passengers use security checkpoints to reduce wait times.
To meet higher-than-normal traffic demand at the airport, beginning Monday morning, an alternate security checkpoint will be used for travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck on weekdays between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. PreCheck lanes at the main checkpoint will not be open during those hours.
Signs will be posted inside the terminal to inform travelers of the change, and TSA PreCheck passengers will be directed to an alternate checkpoint. CLEAR passengers will still need to go to the main checkpoint.
The TSA is advising people who have booked early morning flights to Reach the airport at least 2 to 3 hours early Their flights.
The airport says it deployed more staff Monday morning, even installing more sensors to accurately measure wait times. A Pittsburgh International spokesperson told KDKA-TV that they are continuing to work to make the experience as smooth as possible for passengers.
“We want to continue to keep an eye on things, see what we can improve in collaboration with our TSA partners, and try to make travel as smooth as possible for our passengers,” spokesman Jonathan Potts said.
Bob Kerlik, a spokesman for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, says When the new terminal opens in 2025By 2014 the number of security checkpoints will increase from seven to 11 and will be one consolidated checkpoint, but until then, the TSA is implementing a quick solution that they hope will reduce wait times.
Record passenger numbers
The TSA said it has seen a “tremendous” increase in travel volume over the past few months. Kerlik says it has been very busy at Pittsburgh International.
“So what we’re seeing with record crowds here at Pittsburgh International is really a nationwide issue,” Kerlik said. “And with that there’s also a lot of new flights coming online across the country, but at the same time, there’s also the appetite for summer travel and post-COVID.”
Late last month, the TSA expected to screen more than 30 million travelers from June 27 to today, which would be an increase of more than 5 percent compared to Independence Day 2023.
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