While arrivals to the Twin Cities have been spread out for the past several days ahead of Tuesday's All-Star Game, the exodus out of town is anticipated to occur in a much tighter time frame, prompting a reassuring promise from the people who handle gate security at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

"The airport will be a busy place after the All-Star Game," said Cliff Van Leuven, federal security director for the federal Transportation Security Administration at the Twin Cities airport. "TSA will be fully staffed to help travelers make it through security smoothly and efficiently," said Cliff Van Leuven, federal security director for the TSA at MSP. "All-Star fans can be part of the team effort by preparing for security before leaving for the airport."

The TSA points out that delays at security checkpoints are most often caused by travelers bringing prohibited items in carry-on baggage.

"Please remember that all types of bats including souvenir mini-bats — a favorite of baseball fans everywhere — are prohibited in the cabin of an aircraft," the agency said in a statement Monday afternoon. All bats should be transported in checked baggage.

For information on prohibited items, visit www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items or use TSA's mobile app — myTSA.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482