Longer wait times likely for holiday, airline says
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Passengers can expect longer wait times during the busy Memorial Day weekend, Hawaiian Airlines said. Travelers waited in a security checkpoint line Thursday at Honolulu Airport.
Hawaiian Airlines says travelers should expect even longer wait times than usual at Honolulu Airport over the busy holiday weekend.
Despite Memorial Day being one of the busiest weekends of the year for traveling, the Transportation Security Administration at Honolulu Airport will have two fewer canine units than usual, said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.
The TSA did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.
Dunkerley said the TSA is not expecting more travelers than usual for the busy weekend. Instead, it has reallocated resources from the Honolulu airport to others on the mainland, he said.
“Shuffling resources from one place where there aren’t enough resources to another place where there aren’t enough resources really doesn’t solve the underlying problem,” said Dunkerley, adding that he wants the federal government to give more funding to TSA.
The airline isn’t expecting the holiday weekend to be exceptionally busy, but says travelers should arrive at least two hours before their flight and check security guidelines for packing carry-on bags, Dunkerley said.
He said passengers can cut down the time to go through security checkpoints by enrolling in the TSA PreCheck expedited screening program, which allows travelers to keep their shoes on and computers in their bags.
TSA data show passengers had to wait as long as 30 minutes to pass through Honolulu security lines Wednesday.
5 responses to “Longer wait times likely for holiday, airline says”
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Way past time we got rid of this incredibly inefficient government employee union. Not one terrorist since they started. Nothing but a pita.
Unfortunately, I am one of the few that always sets off the buzzer walking through the security box and gets pulled on the side due to my hip implant etc….embarrassing as I always get a full pat down despite a dr. ‘s card indicating the implant but, what the heck, im so used to it already that I have become a symbol of a TSA PAT-DOWN…..
Dunkerly wants more money for TSA???
How about abolishing the fee for first check in baggage so all the yokels lugging the kitchen sinks and rice cookers don’t bog down the security checkpoints and make boarding such a time consuming, hateful experience????
Good Sugestion!
Just pay extra for PreCheck. Pay for first class and you will get special lines too.