As Americans prepare for the busy summer travel period, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is predicting that a record number of airline passengers will pass through airport checkpoints, starting with Memorial Day weekend.

The busy summer season starts with the Memorial Day holiday weekend��running between May 23-29��with TSA officials expecting to screen more than 18 million passengers and crew members.

The holiday total represents an increase of around 6.4 percent compared to last year. As for the busiest day, the government agency estimates that nearly three million passengers will pass through airport checkpoints on Friday, May 24.

��In close coordination with airport, airline and travel partners, we are more than ready to handle this summer's increased travel volumes,�� TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

��We are also continuing to deploy state-of-the-art checkpoint technology that increases security effectiveness, efficiency and enhances the passenger experience and our retention and recruitment numbers are the highest they've ever been,�� Pekoske continued.

To meet the increased demand, the TSA has worked in recent months to modernize airport security checkpoints and added enhanced detection methods to best secure American airports.

The federal agency also listed several tips to make summer travel through the airport easier, including following the guidance of officers through new technology, emptying bags before packing, and declaring and properly packing firearms if traveling with a gun.

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