If you're flying over the holidays, remember these tips for sailing through security

December is the busiest travel time of the year at the Calgary International Airport, and airport officials have a few tips for travellers looking to avoid the holiday lineups.

Mathieu Larocque,aspokesperson for theCanadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), said the airport is expecting more than 20,000 passengers flying out of the city on Thursday, and more than 30,000 on Friday, when school is out and more families are travelling.

The airport will be bringing in extra staff to ensure they're meeting demand.

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Larocque wants jet-setters to make sure they're aware of new rules for carry-on luggage and give themselves plenty of time before boarding.

"That's what we want during the holidays, we want the checkpoints to be fluid and to screen as many passengers as possible," Larocque told CBC News on Wednesday.

He says experienced travellers who check the rules before they go"spend less time in security and they can spend more time at the airport enjoying a coffee or the entertainment."

New rule for carry-ons

One rule passengers will want to acquaint themselves with is the new restriction on inorganic powders and granular materials.

On Nov. 27, CATSAannounced a ban on containers carrying more than350 ml of powder about the size of a pop can in carry-on luggage, because material used in explosives can resemble those types of powders. That includes items like salts, foot powder and sand. Items such as coffee and tea will still be allowed.

CATSA gives passengers the option of putting a containerlarger than 350 ml in checked luggage, putting it in their car, or mailing it.

"We've intercepted some items. Because the rules are relatively new, some passengers are surprised," Larocque said.

Other items that staff have confiscated include liquids larger than the allowed 100 ml, a machete and a snow globe.

"At this time of year, a lot of passengers will bring maple syrup as a gift, or jam or preserves, so the restrictions apply for these as well," he said.

One way to avoid delays is by not wrapping gifts, in case agents need to inspect the packages.

Another item travellers will want to watch out for, especially in this chilly weather, are chemical hand-warmers. The pouches are OK as individual packages, but more than a few and the total will surpass the 350 ml limit.

Bill Zibilskiand his wife were set to fly home to Missouri on Wednesday aftervisiting theirgrandkidsin Calgary.

Zibilskisaid he ran afoul of CATSA's rules only once, when the couple had cooking supplies confiscated.

"Can't put anything over so many ounces, liquids, of course no knives or anything. We've been doing this now for 10 years," Zibilskisaid.