Flag Family News Reporter Chris Larson visits with TSA regional spokeswoman Jessica Mayle
FARGO, N.D. – While travelers continue to prepare to head to their destination this holiday season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has some tips and advice that will help alleviate stress this holiday season.
“It’s going to be busy. We’re going to see high volumes,” TSA regional spokeswoman Jessica Mayle tells Flag Family News. “Airports across the country are preparing right now.”
While Fridays and Saturdays are typically the busiest days for airports, the TSA also is anticipating next Tuesday, the day before Christmas Eve, will be a busy travel day. Regardless, however, it also depends on what time of day people are flying.
“Those morning flights, 5 to 7 a.m. at most airports, that’s usually the rush hour,” Mayle said. “So, if you are trying to get out on that first flight of the day, make sure you give yourself plenty of time and arrive early.”
This year’s holiday season is the first with REAL ID enforcement in effect.
“It’s been in effect since May, going really well,” Mayle said. “We’re seeing the overwhelming majority of passengers, both in North Dakota and around the country, do have their Real ID or another acceptable form of ID. The most common one is a passport.”
If you don’t have a REAL ID or a passport, other acceptable forms of ID can be found at TSA.gov. However, give yourself extra time as they’re conducting extra screening.
Beginning February 1, anyone who wants to go through an identity verification process if they don’t have an ID. That’ll cost $45 and will cover a 10-day length of time.
“So, if you are traveling to and from somewhere where you’ll be going through the airport twice in 10 days, you would pay once,” Mayle said. “But if you have a longer trip and that goes beyond 10 days, then you would be looking at paying twice if you do not have an acceptable form of ID on either leg of the trip.”
