The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is ready for the influx of passengers that are anticipated to leave the airport after this weekend’s Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. To create a thorough security and operational strategy, the TSA has been collaborating closely with the airport, airlines, and the Formula 1 event host committee for the past year.
“Las Vegas consistently plays host to premiere events and we are excited to add the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix to that list. There has been no shortage of anticipation and planning leading up to this event when tens of thousands of additional travelers will depart LAS. We have planned for them, are expecting them and we will be prepared,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Nevada Karen Burke. “The entire TSA team will be focused on our security mission to ensure that every departing traveler and their belongings are screened in the most efficient manner to ensure a safe and secure trip home, whether they came to town for the race or something else.”
To help with security operations at important sites, such as the airport, more than 20 TSA bomb detection dogs and their handlers are in Las Vegas. These working dogs have received specialized training in the detection of explosive materials. While some teams have been here at LAS for a long time, others have joined from airports around the nation.
As an extra measure of security, the TSA’s deployment of bomb detection dogs at airports greatly improves the effectiveness of the security screening procedure. The canines may function in a range of settings away from the airport, enhancing current security measures with their excellent sense of smell.
Formula 1 post-rush at LAS
After the Formula 1 race on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the TSA is ready for a large number of passengers at LAS. To screen passengers, TSA will leave some checkpoints open in each terminal overnight on Saturday and into Sunday. Overnight checked luggage screening activities will also take place. On Monday morning, checkpoint operations will continue as usual.
The hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, are anticipated to be the busiest for TSA operations at LAS. It is anticipated that business would continue to be active through Monday night, November 20. TSA predicts that 98,000 passengers will leave LAS on Sunday, November 19. TSA predicts that 94,000 passengers will leave LAS on Monday. Although the airport will be crowded, no single-day record is anticipated to be broken. On Sunday, October 29, 2023, TSA scanned 103,400 people, making it the largest day in the history of TSA screening operations at LAS. Sunday, November 5, 2023, was the second busiest day for TSA operations at LAS earlier in the month, with 103,285 screenings.
TSA will screen departing passengers in five separate checkpoints throughout both airport terminals during peak hours, with 51 lanes open. TSA staff the training and innovation checkpoints at Terminal 3, which are situated on the “0” level, in addition to the regular checkpoints in Terminals 1 and 3. Having this extra capacity will allow operations to continue running smoothly even during peak travel periods.
Not only will local TSA officers (TSOs) put in extra hours, but TSA administrative staff will also be there to handle non-security tasks like customer service.
The TSA’s teams dedicated to Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) will enhance current security measures. To avert and discourage possible security issues, they are visible at the airport and in the vicinity of the transit hubs.
Please place any souvenir programs you may have purchased in your carry-on luggage. Programs in checked baggage have the potential to delay checked baggage operations by setting off the security screening equipment’s unnecessary alarms.
The TSA is recommending all travelers to arrive at the airport early and be prepared for every step of the travel process, including security screening, due to the volume of people expecting to fly during the next few days. Please be mindful of what is inside carry-on bags to prevent carrying forbidden items through the security check. Furthermore, be sure that any liquids in carry-on bags must be limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Over this amount of liquids, they should be checked as luggage.
Travelers advised by TSA to download the myTSA app, which is a reliable source of travel information. It gives passengers access to the most common inquiries, around-the-clock. Additionally, search as “Can I Bring” database where you can enter the name of an item to find out if it needs to be checked or if it can fit in a carry-on bag. In order to receive responses to their inquiries, travelers can also message or tweet AskTSA. Live help is offered from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST every day, including weekends and holidays. Additionally, travelers can text “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) to submit a query.
Download MyTSA App on Google play/ Apple Store
