TSA says record number of US travelers screened after Fourth of July

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Thursday that a record number of people were screened on Sunday as travelers returned home after the July 4 weekend. 

The TSA screened 2,795,014 passengers and crew on the biggest day in its history. The total surpassed the previous record of 2,792,670 set on May 24 over Memorial Day weekend. 

{mosads}More than 11.9 million passengers and crew went through security checkpoints, and more than 8 million checked bags were screened from July 3 to 7. 

“The operational success we experienced over the July fourth holiday weekend is a testament to the combined efforts of our dedicated workforce and industry alliances,” TSA acting Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell said in a statement. “What I’m most proud of isn’t just the quantity of passengers and checked bags screened, but the quality of the screening our people provided even with that tremendous volume.”

TSA typically screens about 2.2 million passengers and crew members each day.

The agency said despite the surge of passengers over the weekend, 99.7 percent of passengers nationwide waited less than 30 minutes in standard security lanes.

Eight of the 10 busiest screening days in TSA history have occurred this year as airlines report a spike in demand. The TSA sought to remind travelers in its statement that they should arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.