June 28, 2024
As summer travel volumes surge by more than 5% compared to last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is urging travelers to plan ahead and arrive early at airports nationwide, including at Kauai’s Lihue Airport (LIH). This advisory comes in light of record-breaking travel numbers, with TSA screening an unprecedented 2.99 million people across 434 airports on June 23.
To accommodate the influx of travelers, TSA aims to staff checkpoints to meet national wait time standards: 10 minutes or less for TSA PreCheck® lanes and 30 minutes or less for standard screening lanes. However, during peak travel times, wait times at Lihue Airport may temporarily exceed these standards. TSA advises all passengers to be inside the terminal at least two hours before their flight’s departure time to avoid delays.
At Lihue Airport, peak travel times are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The busiest travel days each week are Thursday through Sunday, so extra time and preparation are essential during these periods.
Essential Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey
To ensure a seamless travel experience, TSA recommends the following tips:
Early Arrival: Arrive at the airport terminal at least two hours before your flight departure time. Airlines often start boarding flights 40 minutes before departure, so plan accordingly to allow ample time for parking, turning in your rental car, navigating to the terminal, checking luggage, and passing through agricultural and TSA security screening.
Luggage Check: Consider checking your luggage to reduce the number of carry-on bags and personal items that need screening. This helps decrease wait times for all travelers.
Prohibited Items: Familiarize yourself with the list of prohibited items to avoid bringing them to the security checkpoint. Utilize the “Can I Bring?” feature on the myTSA app to determine whether an item is allowed in your carry-on or needs to be checked.
Traveling with Children: Review guidelines for traveling with children. Airlines may request proof of age documentation for children under 12 traveling unaccompanied or children two years or younger sitting on an adult’s lap. A birth certificate is an acceptable form of proof.
Photo ID and Boarding Pass: Have your photo identification and boarding pass readily available in the security checkpoint to expedite the screening process.
Listen to TSA Officers: Follow the directions provided by TSA officers specific to your screening type to ensure a quicker, smoother experience.
Smart Packing: Start with an empty bag to avoid accidentally bringing prohibited items. Ensure all liquids are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if transporting them through the security checkpoint.
Assistance with Screening: For real-time assistance with security screening, reach out to TSA via social media or the @AskTSA account on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. You can also text “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) for help.
Double-Check Luggage: Tag each piece of luggage with your name and address, and include additional contact information inside each bag. When retrieving luggage at baggage claim, verify the tags to ensure you’ve picked up the correct bag.
By following these guidelines and preparing ahead of time, travelers can help ensure a smoother, more efficient journey through Lihue Airport and other airports nationwide during this busy summer travel season. Safe travels!
