With spring break approaching, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for an influx of travelers. The spring break travel season begins around February 17 and continues through April 21. TSA anticipates that its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) will screen increasing numbers of passengers at airport checkpoints as travel volumes may exceed pre-pandemic levels. 

TSA continues to make progress on investments and policies that enhance security, advance checkpoint efficiency and improve the passenger experience, including:

• Maintaining a near constant recruiting effort to hire and train new officers on the frontline, needed to accommodate growing passenger volumes.
• Increasing signage, public awareness and civil penalties of up to nearly $15,000 in an effort to reduce the number of firearms at TSA checkpoints.
• Investing in technology deployments that improve identity verification, prohibited items detection and an algorithm update on the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) that will substantially reduce false alarms and the number of unnecessary pat-downs.

TSA also encouraged travelers to double-check their baggage prior to arriving at the airport.