BE SURE TO PACK LOTS OF PATIENCE STORM MAY SLOW TRAVEL ON HOLIDAY.

Byline: BRENT HOPKINS and RICK ORLOV Staff Writers

Instead of fig pudding, Christmas may bring snowed-in airports, crabby fliers and 60 mph winds.

The Automobile Club of Southern California projects that nearly 5.5 million people will head out for the holidays, a 1.6 percent increase from last year, with the next 10 days expected to be the heaviest. Los Angeles International Airport expects nearly 2 million people to choke their way through its terminals.

Throw in a major blizzard that blanketed Denver and is now headed for Chicago, fog blanketing San Francisco, and carry-on rules many travelers still can't seem to figure out, and the prospect of taking to the skies seems decidedly unmerry.

``People need to pack an extra dose of patience with them,'' said Jeff Spring, an Auto Club spokesman. ``If you have children with you, carry what you can of their favorite snacks to make sure they don't get too hungry or cranky. You may want to bring some for yourself, too.''

Airport officials recommend that passengers arrive at the airlines two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. LAX has tried to make it easier to get through airport security, employing remote airline and baggage check-in service at the FlyAway service from Van Nuys, Union Station, the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Port of Los Angeles. At LAX, there also is valet service in Lots 4 and 6.

The airport added four more passenger-screening lanes, assigned ``ambassadors'' at curbs to help passengers with information and provides plastic bags for personal items. It reminds fliers to follow the Transportation Security Administration's ``3-1-1'' rules: liquids and gels must be in 3 oz. or smaller containers; stored in a 1-quart plastic bag with a zip top; one bag per person.

At Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, airlines are braced for an influx of nearly 18,000 travelers today and the day after Christmas, up from the usual 15,600 per day. Recent cancellations of United Airlines flights to Denver have made traffic even more dense.

``The morning flights on Friday are canceled so far, so they're playing it day by day,'' said Lucy Berghdorf, the airport's community relations manager. ``They even had some delays today to San Francisco due to fog. They've only got two destinations out of Burbank and they both got canceled. It was pretty crazy down at their desk today trying to figure things out.''

And things won't be so smooth on the roads, either. The 4.4 million drivers the Auto Club expects to motor their way to holiday gatherings won't have to worry much about snow below 4,000 feet, but gusty winds could make things challenging.

The National Weather Service has a high-wind watch in effect this morning until Saturday, with 35 to 40 mph winds in the mountains and gusts up to 60 mph. In the valleys, it expects 25 to 35 mph winds, with gusts over 45 mph.

``Especially for high-profile vehicles, trailers, big SUVs, that's a concern,'' said weather specialist Bonnie Bartling. ``Use caution, drive less than the speed limit if it's going to be windy.''

brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com

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