Airport Security Ready for Holiday Rush

Millions of air travelers are preparing to take off and officials at Hartsfield-Jackson airport say, security measures are in place for what is expected to be a busier than normal holiday travel season.

The number of airline passengers is expected to increase over the next couple of days at Hartsfield as people rush to their desitnation for Christmas. So far no significant problems have been reported.

Airline passengers arrived at Hartsfield hoping for the best in a holiday travel period that has seen weather related problems elsewhere in the United States and Europe. But not so in Atlanta.

Nationally, according to an airline group estimate, the number of passengers over the holiday will increase 3 percent this year from last year to over 43 million. That's still below the peak set several years ago.

The Transportation Security Administration says security gates will be fully staffed through the holiday period.

For the last two days, the TSA has conducted cargo inspections at the airport involving state, federal and local agents.

During one of the busiest times of the year for travel, the airport is encouraging everyone to remember the TSA rules about baggage and carry-ons to ease your way through security.

Federal authorities say seven illegal immigrants were found in one truck inspected in the cargo area Tuesday night. Those individuals were never in a secure area and are now being processed for deportation.