Spring break season is in full swing, and many travelers were heading home at Pittsburgh International Airport after a busy weekend.
“We hung out by the pool, went to bars, went to the casino,” said Benjamin Dettore, of Ross Township. “I don't think I got home until about 4 o'clock at night.”
A busy travel weekend broke TSA records. Thursday, March 28, the start of Easter weekend, was the TSA's 10th busiest day on record, with more than 2.7 million passengers screened.
That day, Benjamin Dettore and his friends flew from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas and waited at security for more than an hour. Dettore said the line spilled over the rope.
“We arrived pretty early so there was a security guard outside the door,” he said. “TSA pre-screening and clearing was all backed up. It just didn't work. There were a lot of people, probably the most people I've ever seen at an airport.”
On Sunday, the flow of people lining up for security was steady and moved very quickly.
Pittsburgh's airport wasn't very busy on Easter Sunday, but Northside native Sir Diego Brazile said Fort Lauderdale's airport was.
“Lo and behold, my flight was at 8 a.m., so I thought I was the only one there,” he said. “It's early Sunday morning, so I think everyone is resting at home, getting ready for church, and celebrating Easter. Lo and behold, everyone was at the airport. I was very surprised. The airport was booked. It was crowded.”
The record-breaking weekend trip also came at a high price for some.
Brazile had to book a flight home at the last minute for her aunt's funeral, but said she wouldn't have been able to afford the ticket if it weren't for generous friends who helped her.
“$600 round trip,” the Brazilian said. “I have JetBlue, Delta, and United flyer miles. It didn't matter. It would have wiped out all my flyer miles. It was terrible.”
Monday, April 1st is expected to be another busy travel day. If you're flying, allow plenty of time for traffic, parking, returning your rental car, and security.
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