Airports Offer Tips to Prepare Holiday Travelers.

Airport Staff and Facilities Ready for Record Passengers

WASHINGTON -- The Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA) are offering tips to the traveling public on how to prepare for the busy holiday travel season.

"Airports around the country are rolling out the welcome mat for holiday travelers," said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. "The days before Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditionally among the busiest air travel days each year. Airports will be crowded. Often people traveling during the holiday season are unfamiliar with airline and security procedures so airports are implementing customer service initiatives to ensure that passengers have a positive and smooth travel experience."

Based on a sample of recent historical data, the three busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving travel period are expected to be Sunday, Nov. 25; Monday, Nov. 26; and Wednesday, Nov. 21, respectively. Over the entire 12-day holiday travel period, ATA projects that planes will average close to 90 percent full.

One of the most important things passengers can do is to check the airport's website to obtain the most up to date information about parking availability as well as if delays are expected due to weather, security issues or air traffic problems. Passengers should also listen to local radio and TV stations for public service announcements concerning airport parking or delays.

Airports and airlines are working with the TSA to be fully prepared for holiday travel and to have adequate staffing for the checkpoints. Many airports will also have additional staff on hand to make sure that the parking lots booths are open, that traffic moves well in front of the terminal to allow passengers to be dropped off or picked up quickly, and that all of the facilities in the terminal are working well.

Many airports will have plastic bags on hand for passengers to use at security checkpoints for liquids, aerosols or gels in their carry-on baggage. Airports will remind travelers to decide before leaving home whether to put their 3-ounce liquids and gels in checked bags or bring them to the airport in a 1-quart resealable bag to send through security and place in carry-on afterwards.

Airports will have supplemental staff to quickly respond to any problems in basic services such as heating and lavatories. As always, in colder climates where snow is predicted or already falling, airports will have on hand snow removal equipment and implement irregular operations plans. Many airport concessionaires (especially food outlets) increase staff on the heavy travel days.

It's important to note that many factors outside the airport's control will have an impact on passengers' travel through the airport; most notably TSA staffing. While airports are being pro-active and working diligently this holiday season to ensure a positive experience for the traveling public, crowds are expected to grow as demand for air travel skyrockets over the next five years.

"Our existing aviation infrastructure is stretched to its breaking point, and unless the industry and lawmakers reach a solution, we'll be facing gridlock," Principato said. "One solution that works is increasing airport capacity. Several major publications last week noted that decreased delays at major airports like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Boston Logan were due in large measure to new runways. Airports can meet the growing passenger demand by planning now to invest in modern, secure and comfortable facilities for air travel."

Below are other tips travelers should know before they leave home this holiday season. A full list of tips and prohibited items is available at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

* Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wrap gifts after arriving at your destination.

* Pack smart. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check TSA's Web site for a complete list.

* Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. You must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.

* Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the walk-through metal detector. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and screened by TSA. Passengers also need to remove blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters in addition to outer garments.

* Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Hand film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.

* Think. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. Such incidents will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

About ACI-NA

Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Almost 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.