and airports across the country have met the deadline to hire more than 44,000 federal screeners, which is just in time for next week's start to the busy holiday travel season.
RDU International officials said 200,000 people are expected to come through the airport between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. Passengers are being asked to come early to avoid possible delays in their travel plans.
"We are recommending that passengers get here two hours early to park, catch a shuttle, check in with their airline and get through security checkpoints," RDU International spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin said.
Officials said security will be different with the full deployment of the
Transportation Security Administration
. Passengers will see differences when they go through security checkpoints.
"You will be asked to put all of your jewelry and watches in your carry-on [luggage]. That way, it goes through the X-ray machine and you won't put off the magnetometer," Hamlin said.
Airport personnel will also be on hand to help passengers with their travel plans.
"The airport is going to have holiday helpers stationed throughout the terminals to assist passengers with questions, to prepare them for security checkpoints with advice such as taking out your laptop before going through the X-ray machine, so we are revving up to make sure we have people here to assist with passengers," Hamlin said.
The airport also plans to install explosive detection systems and hopes to have them in Terminal A by the Dec. 31 deadline.
RDU International has also produced a new
holiday guide
that offers tips for passengers to prepare for the holiday travel season.
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