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It's that time again — tens of thousands of people are heading to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for Thanksgiving. 

Checkpoint screenings have routinely had between 45,000 and 50,000 travelers per day over recent peak flying periods, and the Transportation Security Administration says it expects the 2018 holiday season to be the 

If you're going to be among those travelers, airport officials say it helps to plan ahead, rather than showing up and hoping for the best. Here's some tips to make air travel in and out of the Twin Cities a little smoother.

Artificial skeleton bones? You're good to go. 

Bowling pins? Cast iron cookware? Snow cleats? The TSA says those will be a no-go for carry-on luggage, and you'll have to leave them behind. You may also spend time you don't have sorting out your luggage at the checkpoint. 

Also, the restrictions on liquids in carry-on luggage apply to food: "Please be aware that creamy and spreadable foods, like gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, jam and beverages must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule," the TSA says. 

Dry stuffing, fresh cranberries and bread, pies, fruits and vegetables are OK.

Although recent waits haven't been the eye-popping, lobby-filling ordeals of yesteryear at MSP, there's still no telling what you'll encounter. Give yourself lots of time to wind your way through both the baggage check and security checkpoint corrals.

The equipment used to measure the times for online display for Terminal 1 had to be removed for the ticket lobby remodeling project. But remember: The busiest times tend to be from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and again between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

It will tell you a number of things, like whether you can expect to park at the terminal you're traveling from and what the best alternative might be. It will also give you rough idea of how busy you can expect the terminal to be.

5) Put the Transportation Security Administration app, 

It allows you to see airport delays, historical data on peak checkpoint traffic, and which checkpoints are offering TSA Precheck. 

At the airport, you can see and report checkpoint wait times over the last two hours. The app is available in the 

6) Flying with kids? It might go quicker than you thought

Children under 12 don't have to take off their shoes or jackets, so you can keep you and the rest of the line from delay if you keep them dressed and moving.

7) Know the best spots to pick up others at the airport

If you're picking up people arriving from out of town to MSP's Terminal 1, consider asking them to meet you on the ticketing level, rather than the baggage claim. The lower-level traffic can back up nearly to the airport entrance, but airport officials say drivers can help relieve the congestion by using both levels of Terminal 1.

8) Need help at the airport? Plan in advance

If you think you're going to need help at a checkpoint, call the TSA help line at 855-787-2227. The TSA Cares program can help arrange checkpoint assistance.

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Tim Nelson

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Tens of thousands of people are heading to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for Thanksgiving. Here are some tips to help reduce the stress and make your travel a little smoother.

8 tips to help make your Thanksgiving flight smoother

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