TSA wait times under control during record-breaking Thanksgiving travel week

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) experienced its busiest Thanksgiving week ever, but the agency largely avoided any major hiccups at airport security checkpoints throughout the country.

TSA screened more than 2.6 million passengers and crew members on Sunday, making it the fifth busiest day in the agency’s 16-year history. The TSA screened a total of 21.6 million people over the Thanksgiving travel period, which started Friday, Nov. 17, and ended on Monday.

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There had been some concern that security lines could suffer during the busy travel period because the TSA has started implementing stricter screening procedures.

New protocols require passengers to remove more items like large electronics form their carry-on bags and put them into separate bins for screening.

But wait times were generally under control, according to data released Tuesday. Around 98 percent of all passengers waited less than 20 minutes in a checkpoint line, while 99 percent of passengers who are enrolled in TSA’s PreCheck program waited less than 10 minutes in a security checkpoint line.

“Enhanced security screening measures and the use of TSA canine teams were in place during the busy Thanksgiving travel period to ensure security of air travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.

“I am very proud of our Transportation Security Officers for their work and attention to detail during a very hectic time, ensuring safe travel for all passengers.”