INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Transportation Security Administration officials said Tuesday a little preparation can make a big difference when it comes to getting through security quickly during the busy holiday travel season.

Holiday travel is officially taking off, and TSA officials say between 30,000 to 40,000 people will pass through Indianapolis International Airport each day this week.

“And then immediately following Thanksgiving, that Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Monday morning are going to be extremely busy. Sunday will be the busiest day here in Indianapolis,” said Aaron Batt, a security officer with TSA Indianapolis.

Batt said arriving early is key as well is binging a Real ID or acceptable form of identification such as a passport. From “5 a.m. to 7 a.m. is our busiest time in the morning. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every afternoon is our busiest time so if you’re arriving or departing during those times, I say give yourself two hours.”

Hannah Blackburn on Tuesday morning was trying to travel to Manchester, England. She said she has already experienced some of the holiday travel blues. “My Chicago plane was an emergency landing because they wanted to check the plane. I had a nice night in Indiana. I’m going on ahead this morning, so I’m really excited to go home. I spent time with family in Florida.”

Blackburn said she hopes there aren’t many more flights changes on her journey home.

Airport officials say they’re prepared to keep operations going smoothly during any type of weather event. Megan Carrico, senior director of public affairs at the Indianapolis International Airport, said, “They’ve been practicing, they have all the plans in place, and for you as a passenger, the best thing to do is check with your airline as well so you can download the airlines mobile app, or just understand if there’s any disruptions in your flight schedule before you come to the airport.”

Batt said a general rule for people getting through TSA is that if you can spray it, pour it or spread it, it has to go in your checked baggage.

Passengers are allowed to bring pies, cookies, other baked goods and other solid foods through security checkpoints. “If you have that favorite dessert that you like and you’re not sure about it, I recommend to people that you do to #asktsa. Text and you’ll get a response right away. There’s people who man that during normal hours, and then there’s an automated response 24/7.”

TSA also recommends getting TSA PreCheck, which allows most passengers who have it a wait time of 10 minutes or less.

In a news release issued Tuesday, the airport said, “October was a big banner month for the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) as it set three new records for busiest month, busiest day and the first million-passenger month in the airport’s history.”

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