CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s all hands on deck for TSA workers and other staff members at West Virginia Yeager Airport as Christmas and New Year’s quickly approaches.
Airport director and CEO Dominque Ranieri says enplanements are up right now, which is to be expected.
“We’re experiencing higher passenger volumes, which is a great problem to have. The more folks that are using our airport for their holiday travels, that means the more flights that we can attract here at CRW, more direct flights that our community would like to see,” Ranieri said.
She says this year’s white Christmas has made the work even more dire.
“We’ve had more snow events than we typically do in December. Our crews have been working 24/7 to keep this facility and the runway open and operational so that all of our airline partners can keep their schedules on time,” Ranieri said.
“Airport employees don’t get to sleep in the winter,” Ranieri joked. “We are always out there monitoring those weather conditions. Our number one priority is safety here at CRW, so we want to make sure that runway is in perfect condition to accept flights and get ready for our early morning departures as well.”
Ranieri joined with TSA officials Tuesday morning to meet with reporters and give residents tips ahead of the most hectic travel weeks of the year.
She says there are simple ways to make life easier for yourself and the TSA workers.
“Being prepared for your journey will remove a lot of that stress and tension,” she said. “I always recommend traveling with an ‘airport dad.’ I am the airport dad for my family, so I’m making sure that those travel documents are ready to go and that everyone’s suitcase is appropriately packed. We’re so thankful to our TSA partners here at the airport because they are extremely good at their jobs.”
TSA spokesman Eric Guthier also spoke on Tuesday. He reminded travelers to have their Real IDs ready when coming to the airport. A Real ID is a driver’s license issued provides an added layer of security and is now required for those wanting to fly.
Guthier says since travelers have adapted well since Real IDs began being enforced in the spring.
“When it comes to folks showing up to the checkpoints without Real IDs and without acceptable IDs, we’re doing pretty well,” he said. “We’re at 94 percent nationwide for acceptable IDs, so most people are doing what they need to do, it’s really just that last six percent that we need to get on board.”
Guthier says when passengers do come to the checkpoint without an acceptable ID, then everyone around them is affected.
“It slows down the process for everyone,” Guthier said. “If we have to confirm ID using alternate methods, if we have to conduct additional screening, each small instance of that makes things take a little bit longer for everybody else. When you’re talking about a busy time of day and you’ve got lots of people in line, just a little bit of time for each person adds up for those folks that are in line.”
TSA workers had a display Tuesday to show what popular Christmas items can and cannot be taken on the plane. Snow globes are not permitted on planes because of the liquid inside, and presents should be put in gift bags with tissue paper, if possible, as wrapped gifts could be subjected to be opened if an alarm goes off.