CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — The last line of defense between passengers and potential air travel threats are TSA agents, arguably the hardest working people at any U.S. airport.

“We treat every bag as if it’s going on a plane we care about,” said Ashley Ellis, a TSA expert security instructor. “The terrorist threat is real and that’s why there’s so many limitations to things that can be carried through our checkpoint.”

Security agents at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport are preparing for the busy summer travel season, when the airport sees an uptick in passengers.

That increase in traffic means longer lines, and potential delays, at security checkpoints.

The TSA has a list of items that dos and don’ts for airport safety, starting with taking off shoes and removing laptops from carry-on bags and leaving bottles of water and all types of weapons at home.

"Just recently here at the Buffalo airport, a person showed up to the checkpoint with a loaded handgun. That's careless," said TSA Security Director Bart Johnson. 

"That actually happens more than you'd believe,” Ellis added. “People just kind of forget they have those items with them and try to go through the checkpoint.”

There are serious consequences for trying to bring a gun on a plane.

"A determination is made if they have a valid NYS license. They're released, but the issuing judge is notified and if they don't have a valid license they're placed under arrest," said Johnson.

Either way, that person won’t be making their flight on time.