'Totally shocking' lines at the Austin airport leaves travelers frustrated Thursday
Travelers buzzed through the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Independence Day weekend unbeknownst to the fact they’d be waiting in seemingly endless Transportation Security Administration lines.
The American Automobile Association released a study expecting 392,000 Texans to travel by air on Independence Day weekend. Out of all travelers this holiday, 8.2% will go by air — the highest percentage in nearly 20 years. And on Thursday morning, Austin saw these numbers firsthand.
Austin airport sees long lines Thursday
Crowds came in waves throughout the early morning. TSA opened its gates at 3 a.m. and the airport remained busy until about noon, said ABIA spokesperson Elizabeth Ferrer.
"TSA lines can look pretty bad sometimes, but they do move," Ferrer said. "It's just with everyone crowded into those stanchions -- it makes it look worse than it is."
Ferrer said she didn't see or hear of any lines lasting over 45 minutes.
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By 6 a.m., travelers would walk through the airport's front doors, immediately shocked at the spilling checkpoint lines. Heads swiveled in confusion, staff ushered the passengers-to-be and solo travelers stuck their noses in their phones to pass time in TSA lines.
Families formed lanes of foot traffic as they searched for where to go. Little heads poked out of strollers as they watched frustrated grown-ups pace past them.
Many travelers with one common expression: stressed.
“It is what it is,” said one solo traveler after she accepted fate and joined the caboose of a lengthy TSA line.
Another solo traveler, Roy Vargas, an Austin local of over 20 years, said he was ‘totally shocked’ as soon as he walked into the airport.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh, yeah. In the morning on a Thursday, you know, how packed can it be?’” said Vargas.
He was on his way to Tennessee to visit his family for the Fourth of July. Finding himself standing in a long line at 6:40 a.m., Vargas felt hopeful that he’d catch his flight on time since he arrived two hours early.
Vargas believes the big crowd may be because so many people have moved to Austin recently.
“Ten years ago, it was still rather quiet,” Vargas said. “There were times you could come in and get through security in five minutes.”
By about 7:30 a.m., crowds were still busy. Ferrer said Friday morning is expected to be the number one record-breaking day with even bigger crowds. Saturdays are usually slower days for air travel, Ferrer said, but she expects it to also be busy.
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Austin airport travel tips
Ferrer provided some tips for passengers to ensure that the airport runs smoothly and flights leave on time:
Arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure time. Ferrer said this is the primary tip.
The airport parking lot may fill up, so have someone drive you to the airport or use a ride-hailing service. Stay up to date on the parking lot status at abiaparking.com, where you can make a reservation in one of the garages.
Pack your carry-on bags appropriately, and make sure you're following all Transportation Security Administration guidelines.
Your special Fourth of July cookware, such as pots and pans, needs to go in a checked bag.
Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in carry-on bags. Ferrer said people sometimes forget they're in there. If you put firearms or ammunition in a checked bag, it needs to be identified to the airline. Otherwise, your bag will get stopped.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Long lines and big crowds seen at Austin airport early Thursday
