On May 24 of this year, which was the Friday before Memorial Day, TSA experienced its busiest day on record - screening nearly 2,800,000 passengers and crew members in total. Throughout this summer, the agency anticipates to screen 4-percent, or 10 million, more passengers than last summer. At the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, officers screened nearly 900,000 people last year, which ranked 58 out of 427 airports. This year, officials wouldn't be surprised if that number eclipses the 1 million-passenger barrier.
With the increase in travel this summer, Johnson is predicting longer waiting lines, so he's encouraging passengers to give themselves more time than they typically would.
"Travelers are urged to be prepared for the screening process and listen to the guidance that the TSA officers are providing at the checkpoint," said Johnson, who added that he would get to the airport approximately 90 minutes before a departing flight to ensure the lowest possible amount of stress.
Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns is again reminding people about the switch to the REAL ID in October of 2020, and he says it's in everyone's best interest to begin that application this summer before lines at the DMV are more busy next summer.
