Thanksgiving holiday travel tips from MassPort, TSA

BOSTON — Thanksgiving is one of the busies travel weeks of the year and Logan Airport is getting ready to handle the increased volume.

One study from Airlines for America projects 27.3 million passengers will take to the sky over the Thanksgiving travel period.

Massport says it expects nearly 1 million people to fly in or out of Logan International Airport during the days leading up to and immediately following Thanksgiving.

Travelers are advised to arrive early for their flights, take public transportation to the airport if possible and - for those airlines that allow it - check in online.

The MBTA will offer additional Silver Line service to the airport through Wednesday, and again from Saturday until Monday Nov. 28.

The state highway division plans to suspend demolition work at toll plazas on the Massachusetts Turnpike during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

Officials say the ongoing project to remove tollbooths and construct new traffic patterns is ahead of schedule.

Massport helpful travel tips:

• Families should plan ahead and determine how they will get to and from the airport;
• There are many HOV and public transportation options available. More information and schedules can be found at Massport.com;
• Helpful travel information about what to expect at the airport can be found at Massport.com and TSA.gov;
• Travelers can get flight information on Massport.com up to 4 hours before their flight, and should arrive 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours for international;
• Many airlines allow you to check in online before you get to the airport;
• Massport.com has a wayfinder application to help you know your way around Logan;
• We recommend waiting in the cell phone lot until your party can meet you at the curb

TSA has prepared for the holiday travel season by increasing staffing, deploying additional canine teams, and monitoring and deploying resources to the busiest airports.

“TSA is taking every measure to protect air travelers and to secure our transportation systems by working closely with local and state officials,” said Bob Allison, TSA Federal Security Director for Massachusetts. “TSA continues to collaborate with our airline and airport partners to improve the traveling experience, while keeping security as our top priority.”

Here are some helpful TSA tips:

• Arrive early. The increase in travel volume has a wide-ranging effect. Consider incorporating additional time in your travel plans for traffic, parking, rental car returns and airline check-in. Arrive up to two hours in advance of your flight departure time for domestic travel and three hours for international flights.
• Prepare for security. Have a valid ID and boarding pass out and remove large electronics, including laptops and liquids from carry-on baggage. Avoid over packing your carry-on bag. Consider checking bags where feasible.
• Follow the liquids rule. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less and all containers must fit inside a single quart-size plastic bag and be placed in a bin for carry-on baggage screening.
• Pack food items. Items such as pies and cakes are allowed in your carry-on, but may require further inspection. If you are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel, it is best to pack the item in a checked bag or ship it to your destination in advance.
• Leave gifts unwrapped. We recommend packing unwrapped gifts or placing items in a gift bag or wrapping them after arriving at your destination as TSA may have to unwrap them during security screening.
• Go to TSA.gov. For any additional questions on what can and cannot bring onboard.

Cox Media Group