CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With thousands of scouts and leaders from around the world headed home this weekend from the Bechtel Summit, travelers are to be put on notice for delays.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) put out a notice Wednesday warning normal travelers about the larger than usual crowds that will be happening this Friday through Sunday in southern West Virginia.
John Allen, Federal Security Director West Virginia for TSA said Saturday at Yeager Airport will be the busiest day.
“I’m thinking from our forecasted flight loads and what we are looking at, probably about two and a half or triple the amount of flying out that day from our normal numbers,” he said.
TSA said it expects travelers from 152 countries across six continents to head to the airport in one of the three days. Closing ceremonies for the event is Thursday night.
Allen encourages anyone using the airport this Friday and Saturday to arrive 90 minutes ahead of their flights.
TSA will have extra personnel at every position and offer overtime to employees to help alleviate the process, Allen said.
Another concern for TSA is for passengers from the World Scout Jamboree to double-check their carry-on and flight bags.
“The message is for the folks double-check their check baggage,” he said. “It would be terrible if a child that came from another country bought a cool knife and they had to leave it and not bring it back home to remember their time here.”
The World Scout Jamboree in Fayette County brought in more than 40,000 Scouts from 170 national scouting organizations.
Traveling from @YeagerAirport over the next few days? As the @2019_wsj comes to an end, Scouts from 152 countries across six continents will be headed to the airport to fly home–resulting in busier-than-usual activity in the Airport!@TSA urges you to arrive early! pic.twitter.com/MbLDN3kTqV
— Yeager Airport (@YeagerAirport) July 31, 2019