TSA Shifting Some Delay Blame On Passengers

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The crash of an EgyptAir jetliner has raised new concerns about terrorism – meaning more pressure at airports around the globe – including those in the United States.

This comes as enormous security lines have caused headaches for passengers - ratcheting up the pressure on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which is now shifting some of the responsibility to travelers.

"We are not here today to blame passengers but it is one contributing factor to long lines at the airports," said TSA Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell.

Agents staged an unscientific show and tell at Chicago's hard hit midway airport to illustrate how prohibited items like water bottles and knives back up the lines.

The TSA says much bigger issues than those prohibited items are the staffing crunch and just the sheer volume of travelers packing the check points.

"An average of seven percent more passengers from last year to this year and some larger airports up to 15 percent more," said Howell.

To handle the crowds, the agency is hiring an extra 768 screeners over the next month. They are also shifting more canine units to larger airports and bumping up part-time workers to full-time. Passengers can only hope those steps will alleviate long lines at airports.

If the crowds are bad now, wait until the summer, when travel is expected to hit new records. That includes the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, which could be the busiest ever.

One factor contributing to the crowds may be the lower cost of travel. The drop in fuel prices has kept down ticket prices just in time for summer holidays.

Click here for a list of items passengers are not allowed to carry in their bags.