Colorado passengers try to smuggle a FIREWORKS on the plane as the TSA screens a record 2.9 million on Saturday – while thousands are still stranded far from home and 7,000 flights are delayed
- Officials at Colorado Springs Airport have displayed firecrackers confiscated from passengers attempting to board a flight
- TSA warns travelers against bringing fireworks on planes and they should learn about liquid travel reimbursements
- TSA said Saturday it screened 2.883 million passengers on Friday, breaking the 2019 Thanksgiving record of 2.882 million
Fireworks were confiscated from a group of passengers passing through Colorado Springs Airport before July 4, and officials warned they would never be allowed to board a plane.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials displayed the firecrackers as a warning against attempting to bring them on board.
The warning came as TSA announced it had broken the record for the number of passengers screened – surpassing a tally previously set for Thanksgiving 2019.
A TSA representative in Colorado Springs presents fireworks that were recently confiscated
“Nice collection of firecrackers on the left half of this table @COSAirport,” tweeted the official account of the regional TSA office.
“This is to serve as a reminder to keep people at home this #FourthofJuly weekend as firecrackers are not allowed in either carry-on or checked baggage.”
Three firearms and three stun guns were found in passengers’ luggage on Thursday, and the TSA renewed its alert.
“And while we’re at it, it’s time for #CommonSense to take over and remind everyone that firecrackers don’t fly — in carry-on or checked baggage,” the official report said.
“Firecrackers are never allowed on an airplane, so please don’t bring them to the airport.”
The spokesman told that anyone who finds fireworks in their carry-on or checked baggage will be asked to remove them and either return them to their vehicle or dispose of them.
Colorado Springs Airport expected 32,000 to 34,000 passengers over the Friday-Tuesday weekend.
“It’s going to be a high-traffic, high-traffic weekend,” said Dana Schield, a spokeswoman for the airport.
She told KKTV: “Obviously we encourage travelers to arrive as early as possible.”
“Make sure you are prepared and understand all TSA rules of conduct and always check the status of your flight before you arrive at the airport.”
Liquids and aerosols are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less in carry-on baggage.
If a traveler is bringing liquids in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces, TSA must conduct a baggage inspection, which will slow down the screening process for that traveler and anyone in line behind them.
All liquids in excess of 3.4 ounces should be carried in checked baggage.
Passengers at Pensacola International Airport go through security on Sunday
Passengers are seen at JFK Terminal 4 amid days of delays
Baggage and people piled up at United Airlines at LAX on June 29
United Airlines was the hardest-hit airline all week. Frustrated passengers are seen at LAX on June 29th
The TSA screened 2,883,595 people on Friday, surpassing the previous travel record of 2,882,915 set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019.
The new record was set against the background of days of flight delays and flight cancellations.
On Sunday, 7,000 flights were delayed – down from previous days and a sign the situation was coming under control but was still a source of frustration for thousands of people.
There were 1,235 cancellations. United remained the hardest-hit airline, as it had been throughout the week.
On Sunday, 29 percent of all flights were delayed and 3 percent were cancelled. Newark remained the hardest-hit airport, followed by LaGuardia and JFK.