Entrance to security checkpoint in SFO’s Terminal 3.
SAN FRANCISCO - Encouraging passengers to “Know Before You Go,” the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided tips for those who are planning to depart any of the three Bay Area airport during the end-of-the year holiday season.
The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start around Friday, December 15 and continue through Tuesday, January 2. During this period, TSA is projecting higher than usual travel volumes at each of the local airports, encouraging travelers to arrive at the airport early and prepared.
The busiest days of the holiday season locally and nationally for air travel are projected to be Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 as well as Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29, 2023.
The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start around Friday, December 15 and continue through Tuesday, January 2. During this period, TSA is projecting higher than usual travel volumes at each of the local airports, encouraging travelers to arrive at the airport early and prepared. 
The busiest days of the holiday season locally and nationally for air travel are projected to be Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 as well as Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29, 2023.
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), TSA projects a steady volume of departing travelers throughout the holiday with more than 493,000 people being screened between December 17 and December 23. SFO saw a 14% increase in passenger traffic from November 2022 to November 2023. Similar increases are projected for this December compared to last year. In Terminals 1 and 2, the busiest times at the security checkpoints are 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.; in Terminal 3; operations are busy starting at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. These terminals are busy through the late morning and again in the evening from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The International Terminal is busiest 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
At San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), TSA projects it will screen more than 120,000 departing travelers during the week of December 17 through December 23. Busiest times at the SJC checkpoints are 5 a.m. to 7am; 12pm to 2pm; and 5pm to 7pm. SJC has seen a more than 9.3% growth in passengers screened compared to last year.
At Oakland International Airport (OAK), TSA projects close to 110,000 people will be screened in the week leading up to Christmas. The busiest times at the OAK checkpoints are 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, OAK saw a 2.7% increase in passengers screened. On Sunday, November 26, TSA at OAK had its second busiest day of the year when 20,462 people were screened. 
“On behalf of the TSA teams throughout the Bay Area, I can say with confidence that we are prepared to handle the expected surge in the number of people who will be traveling by air during the holiday travel period,” said TSA Federal Security Director at SFO Fred Lau. “This will include ensuring checkpoints are staffed and lanes are open to screen departing travelers. We encourage everyone to do their part to prepare for the security screening process, whether you are a seasoned travelers or you haven’t traveled by air recently.”
For the past several months, TSA has been planning for the holiday travel season. It will have the security checkpoints staffed and the checked baggage screening operation ready for the high volume of travelers expected to travel by air over the next few weeks. TSA strives to get travelers through the general security screening process in less than 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck® screening in less than 10 minutes.
During the screening process in the security checkpoint, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secure in their carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind in the checkpoint and ending up in the local Lost and Found.
The most common thing that slows down screening at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag. This will guarantee that the traveler will experience a bag check in the checkpoint, slowing the process down for the traveler as well as reducing the overall efficiency of the screening process.
Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols (LGAs) in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of LGAs a traveler can bring into the cabin of the aircraft to 3.4 ounces, which is equivalent to 100 ml. Any liquid in a quantity greater than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.
With more than 1.4 million travelers expected to be screened through the Bay Area security checkpoints at SFO, SJC and OAK during the holidays, TSA provides the following tips to help things go smoothly.
1. Utilize TSA resources to travel smart.
To avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage, start with an empty bag or suitcase. If you aren’t sure how to travel with an item, visit TSA.gov or download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872.
2. Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper.
Wrapped items are screened just like any other item. If a wrapped item alarms the security screening technology whether in carry-on or checked luggage, a security officer may have to unwrap it to determine what the item is and confirm it does not pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag for easy access and resolution.
3. Have a plan for traveling with holiday foods.
Individuals often like to travel with food items during the holiday season. Foods may be transported on flights. Solid food items like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solids and may be transported in a carry-on bag. However, liquids and spreadable foods such as egg nog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and preserves are not solid and should be packed in checked bags. Here’s a helpful tip: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it is larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be packed in a checked bag.
4. Confirm your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your airline reservation. If you have enrolled as a Trusted Traveler, make sure your KTN and correct date of birth are in your airline reservation so you will be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. There are more than 90 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck and TSA offers the TSA PreCheck experience at every airport nationwide. Travelers 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.
5. Download your California digital ID.
TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers screened through SFO’s Terminal 3 or SJC’s Terminal 2 can use their California mobile driver license (mDL) for identity verification. California Department of Motor Vehicles has made the mDL available at no cost. Just download the CA DMV Wallet app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and follow the steps to add it to your smartphone. Travelers can use the California mDL in lieu of handing over their physical photo ID to the TSA security screening officer when entering the checkpoint.