Harry Reid Airport Screened Passengers Hits Record Post Super Bowl

Posted on: February 13, 2024, 07:18h. 

Last updated on: February 14, 2024, 12:45h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport screened almost 104K passengers just hours after Super Bowl LVIII.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent patch
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent patch, pictured above. TSA agents screened a record number of passengers on Monday at Harry Reid Airport. (Image: CNN)

On Monday, 103,978 travelers were screened by the TSA staff at the complex. That’s a one-day record for the airport, agency officials announced on Tuesday. Agents also screened 65,708 pieces of luggage and other baggage being taken onto flights.

To handle the increased numbers, TSA agents were out in force on Monday in the airport terminals. Some 75 extra TSA agents were reassigned to Harry Reid for the record-setting day. Specially trained dogs also were on duty to detect possible explosives or other dangers.

Many departing passengers left early to get home following their Las Vegas visit.

Between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. (PT) on Monday, 7,700 passengers were screened by TSA staff. About 7,600 passengers were screened between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The longest wait to get screened by agents was 12 minutes on Monday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The prior Harry Reid airport record for screened passengers was on October 29. That number totaled 103,409.

Four-Hour Preparation

Last month, airport spokesman Joe Rajchel told Casino.org that officials predicted the Monday following the game would be very busy as fans departed.

To prepare for the influx of departing travelers, Rajchel said the airport set up what it called the “4-3-2-1 plan,” which encouraged the following:

  • 4 hours before departure: travelers plan their trips to the airport by checking traffic and waiting for rideshares. Rental cars are dropped off
  • 3 hours before departure: passengers check baggage after airport arrival
  • 2 hours before departure: passengers line up to go through TSA checkpoints
  • 1 hour before departure: passengers head to terminal gates

In total, an estimated 330K travelers visited Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

Visitors Watched Game

Some lucky visitors attended Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The game was won by the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime by a 25-22 score against the San Francisco 49ers.

Others came to enjoy related activities or watched the game at sports bars or sportsbooks either on the Las Vegas Strip or downtown.

Some $600 million to $700 million was spent by visitors on Sunday and on the days before Super Bowl LVIII, according to LVCVA projections. Tickets, concessions, and merchandise at Allegiant Stadium got a big revenue boost from the visitors. So, too, did casinos, according to USA Today.