FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – After weeks of long lines at security at Pittsburgh International Airport, changes aimed at reducing wait times are now in effect.
Emma Swanson and her family were traveling to Savannah, Georgia, on Monday when they encountered the long lines.
“We thought it might be a little bit longer than we’ve seen in previous years,” Swanson said. “But it’s the longest I’ve seen in my entire life.”
Some people did everything they could to prepare, but it was still close.
“We got there early,” said traveler Ryan Johnson. “But we couldn’t check our bag until 4 a.m. – Air Canada opened.”
The Transportation Security Administration announced last month that they were making changes to the process by which travelers go through security checkpoints to reduce wait times.
To accommodate higher-than-normal traffic at the airport, beginning Monday morning, the alternate security checkpoint will be used for travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays. The PreCheck lanes at the main checkpoint will not be open during those hours.
Signs will be posted throughout the terminal to inform travelers of the change, and TSA PreCheck passengers will be rerouted to the alternate checkpoint. CLEAR passengers will still need to go to the main checkpoint.
TSA advises those booked on an early morning flight Make sure you are at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours in advance their flights.
The airport says it has increased staffing and even installed more sensors Monday morning to accurately measure wait times. A spokesperson for Pittsburgh International told KDKA-TV that they are continuing to work on making the experience as easy as possible for travelers.
“We want to continue to monitor and work with our TSA partners to see what we can do to improve and make the journey as smooth as possible for our customers,” said spokesman Jonathan Potts.
Allegheny County Airport Authority spokesman Bob Kerlik says when the new terminal opens in 2025The number of security checkpoints will be expanded from seven to 11 lanes and a single consolidated checkpoint will be created. Until then, however, the TSA is implementing a quick fix that it hopes will reduce wait times.
Record passenger volume
TSA said they have seen a “tremendous” increase in travel volume in recent months. Kerlik said it has been busy here at Pittsburgh International.
“So what we’re seeing here at Pittsburgh International with record numbers is really a nationwide issue,” Kerlik said. “And that’s coupled with a lot of new flights coming online nationwide, but also just the hunger for … summer travel and post-COVID.”
Late last month, the TSA expected to screen more than 30 million passengers from June 27 through today, an increase of more than 5 percent from Independence Day 2023.