As fall weather approaches, so does a busier travel season at Milwaukee’s airport.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is expected to see high travel volumes during the fall and holiday travel seasons, Transportation Security Administration regional spokesperson Jessica Mayle said at a press conference Sept. 25.
TSA announced multiple changes to the security process at Mitchell this year, and Mayle said she wants travelers to be aware of the new rules and travel tips for a busier season at the airport.
The U.S. government will shut down if Congress fails to pass a funding bill by Oct. 1, furloughing millions of federal workers. Airport security workers and air traffic controllers, however, are considered essential employees and would continue to work without pay in the event of a shutdown.
Here are some tips and policy updates for the fall travel season:
Passengers generally do not need to remove their shoes as they pass through security at Mitchell, Mayle said. TSA removed its requirement that shoes be removed at security checks earlier this summer, including at all Wisconsin airports.
But shoes that trigger alarms, such as those with metal, may still need to be removed and searched, Mayle said.
Beginning in May 2025, passengers 18 and older looking to fly within the U.S. must have a REAL ID-complaint driver’s license. REAL ID-compliant licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner.
Travelers without a REAL ID-compliant license must show another approved form of identification, such as a passport.
Mayle said REAL ID’s launch has gone “very well” at Mitchell.
“An overwhelming majority of passengers are in compliance,” she said. “We are not seeing any operational issues associated with REAL ID enforcement.”
Wisconsin residents can learn more about how to apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website.
To give themselves enough time to make their flight, passengers should arrive at the Mitchell terminal at least two hours before their departure time, Mayle said.
Passengers who need to return a rental car or are getting dropped off should give themselves some more time so they don’t feel crunched when they arrive at the terminal.
“The lines here at Milwaukee are really smooth, we don’t have wait time issues. But generally, you’d rather be on the other side of the checkpoint and enjoying starting your vacation versus (being) kind of in a rush,” Mayle said.