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Security reminders for the busy air travel season

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News
TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein discussing carry-on restrictions with a TSA agent at Hancock International Airport.

As the summer travel season revs up, the Transportation Security Administration asks travelers to do their part to keep things running smoothly. And that includes the travelers that board planes at Hancock International Airport.

According to Syracuse Regional Airport authority figures, July and August is the time of the year when the most flights arrive and depart at the airport. TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein says that means travelers must plan on a little extra time.

“You should expect to find it a little more difficult to find a parking space in the garage. You should expect it might take longer at the check-in counter or maybe a little longer returning a rental car. You expect a longer line at the airport restroom. So of course, you should expect a line at the checkpoint as well,” Farbstein said.

Farbstein says the same things bog down travelers through the security checkpoint as always -- people don’t follow the 311 rule about liquidsand they try to bring in bottled water.

“These rules about toiletries have been in place for over a decade, but still people continue to bring the oversized shampoo or the jumbo sized toothpaste. Hey, lighten your carry on, get the travel-sized shampoo most hotels and B&B’s already provide that for you there.”

The number one thing that shows up in carry-ons that shouldn’t -- knives.

"Kitchen knives, cooking knives, locking blade knives, keychain knives, credit card knives, fishing knives, hunting knives, tactical knives. It’s unbelievable how many different kind of knives people bring.”

Farbstein reminds passengers if they are unsure about what they can bring on a carry-on, they can send a picture to the AskTSA Twitter account and get an answer.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.