TSA: Long Lines Likely To Continue Throughout Summer

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Long lines and missed flights still plague passengers at airports around the country---and the TSA admits long security lines will continue during the summer travel season.

Pat Warren has some pointers for traveling through BWI Marshall.

The TSA suggests that if you have to wait in line, make good use of that time.

The traffic jams at airport security checkpoints have inspired the hashtag "I hate the wait" on social media.

"Sometimes the lines are really long and sometimes they're really short," said .

"It all depends on the time of day. Just like a highway has a rush hour, so does an airport. We have a peak and a peak of a peak," said Lisa Farbstein, TSA.

More flights, a good economy and lower fares see more people flying.

"We want people to think about what it is they are doing by the time they get to the checkpoint. If you've been in line for 20 minutes, you've had plenty of time to think about it; you really shouldn't have that bottle of water tucked in your handbag," Farbstein said.

TSA suggests while waiting in line, make sure you don't have any liquids, gels, aerosols more than 3.4 ounces and that all containers are in a clear, plastic zip bag. You need to empty your pockets---no phones in back pockets. Laptops, video consoles and remote control toys need to come out of your carryon and go through in a bin. And be ready to take off your shoes.

Or you can keep your shoes, your belts and your jackets by enrolling in TSA Precheck. It's $85 and requires a visit to an enrollment center for fingerprinting and a background check.

"And that's the key right there: that we do a background check on you. We pre-check you before your trip," Farbstein said.

The number of precheck enrollments have reportedly gone up in the past few weeks.

The TSA also points to more rigorous screening, which is slowing things down.

Congress has given the TSA more money to hire additional screeners and pay overtime, hoping to address the problem.