Page 18 - IAV Digital Magazine #475

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
MEM Warns of Carrying BBQ Sauce On Airplanes Amid Increasing Passenger Numbers
By Mitchell Koch
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis International Airport saw its second largest number of pas- sengers come through the air- port since 2011, prompting airport officials to issue a saucy safety warning.
At the airport’s check-in gates, a sign warns pas- sengers not to bring more than 3.4 ounces of liq- uid in their carry- on luggage, but not just any liq- uid. During Memphis in May, barbecue sauce often becomes a contraband item in carry-ons for TSA.
“They (TSA) actu- ally see about a 25% increase in the number of carry-on bags that they’re screening during May,” Glen Thomas, public
information officer for MEM, said. “And barbecue sauce is some- thing that’s fre- quently found. Of course, with all the activities going on in May here, it’s under- standable. But it has been some- what of an issue for them.”
Thomas said the barbecue sauce sign acts as a warning for all airport travelers to check their carry-on bags, so TSA agents can get everyone through the secu- rity checkpoint quicker. That quickness becomes impor- tant as the num- ber of passen- gers through MEM begins to take off.
May 13 saw the largest number of passengers come through MEM so far in 2019, and the day was the second busiest
day at the airport since 2011, when the airport still served as a
hub.
A total of 9,468 passengers went through security that day, a 12% increase from the same day in 2018.
Thomas said this increase is because Memphis in May events coincide with schools let- ting out for the summer, bringing both tourists and vacationers through the air-
port. He also said the airport has seen a good bit of growth in the past year.
“When we get to this point when school starts get- ting out, and you’re seeing travel increase, especially as people go on vacation, as well as Memphis in May activities that draw tourists here, it’s very encouraging for us to see these growth trends continue,” Thomas said. “And we know
that we’re going to have a very busy summer.”
Since the end of being a hub in 2013, MEM has exceeded 9,000 passengers in a day only 10 times. Nine of those 10 days were in the last year, and three of them happened this May.
Thomas said the airport always sees more traffic during the sum- mer, but Memphis in May adds to that crowd of passengers.
“May brings a whole lot of tourists to Memphis and vis- itors to Memphis with the attrac- tions like the Music Fest and the Barbecue Contest, so that contributes a lot to our passenger growth,” Thomas said.
But the latter of those Memphis in May events seems to add a new, but flavorful, problem to airport security.
In true Memphis style, dry-rub bar- becue may be more safe to take onto an airplane. On the same sign, airport offi- cials encouraged, but did not require, passen- gers to also put barbecue sea- sonings in their checked luggage instead of in carry-on bags.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine