Bay airport and TSA cover summer travel surges and avoiding delays

PANAMA CITY BEACH − Local airport officials say being prepared can help make for a smooth traveling experience.

In a news conference Wednesday at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, also known as ECP, officials with the facility and Transportation Security Administration highlighted summer travel surges this year and ways for passengers to avoid flight delays.

“Airports across the nation have seen tremendous growth this summer,” said Parker McClellan, executive director of ECP. “I know many people have traveled in and out of this airport and have seen that growth.”

According to McClellan, the 10 busiest days in the history of the TSA have all been this summer. ECP also logged five of its top 10 busiest days ever within the past two months, a news release from the airport states.

“Last month … more than 235,000 people went through ECP,” McClellan said. “That is our biggest month − the biggest month in the history of the airport.”

He, along with Mark Howell, southeast regional spokesperson for TSA, noted some of the best ways for passengers to prevent flight delays are:

• Arrive for flights at least two hours early on weekdays and at least three hours early on weekends.
• Bring a valid ID.
• Completely empty all bags used for travel before packing to ensure they do not contain any forgotten items not allowed on flights.
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule that states passengers can carry on only liquids 3.4 ounces or less, and they must be placed in a quart-sized bag, with each passenger limited to one bag.
• Remember all firearms, ammunition, knives, lighters, drills, tools larger than 7 inches and club-like items − such as golf clubs and baseball bats − must be transported in checked bags. They cannot be carried onto flights.