Oakland International Airport Offers Travel Tips for Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers.

News Editors/Travel Writers

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2001

Oakland International Airport officials offer the following tips to Bay Area travelers to help keep the "happy" in holiday traveling:

-- Make sure you are familiar with new security check-in procedures (visit Good Rules for Flying on the airport's web site at www.oaklandairport.com, under the Traveler Advisories link.

-- Arrive at least two hours prior to departure to make sure your airport experience is as stress-free as possible. Additional time may be required for peak travel periods. Once you've checked in, stay in the gate area for any last minute information you may need for your flight.

-- Allow additional time to get to the airport because of heavier than normal holiday traffic on Bay Area highways.

-- Use the alternate airport exits at 66th Avenue, 98th Avenue or Davis Street (San Leandro) to avoid congestion at the Hegenberger Road off-ramp.

-- Travelers on northbound Doolittle Road (from San Leandro) can now make a left-hand turn into the airport at the 98th Avenue/Airport Access Road intersection.

-- Contact the 24-hour Parking Lot Hotline at 510/633-2572 for parking availability.

-- Have your reservation locator or flight number and a photo ID available for the ticket agent or skycap and keep it with you at all times.

-- Maintain control of your baggage at all times -- unattended bags are subject to confiscation.

-- Several carriers are offering curbside check-in once again. Check with your carrier to see if they are offering this service at Oakland International Airport, so that you can avoid long check-in lines inside the terminal.

-- Clearly mark your name and phone number inside and outside of all carry-on and checked baggage and remove old destination tags. Free baggage ID tags are available at all airline ticket counters.

-- Passengers are allowed only one carry-on bag, plus one personal item such as a handbag, briefcase, diaper bag or laptop computer. Remember, carry-on bags must fit completely inside an overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of you.

-- Your carry-on baggage should contain necessities such as medicine, cash, jewelry, passports, visas, business papers and valuables. Check everything else. For a list of permitted and prohibited carry-on items, go to Good Rules for Flying located on the airport's web site at www.oaklandairport.com, under the Traveler Advisories link.

-- Wrap your gifts at destination; if a package is questioned at the security checkpoint, you will have to unwrap it to show it to the security officer.

-- Safety and security are top priorities for all airport personnel. Jokes and off-hand comments about illegal activities can result in arrest.

-- Use ground transportation whenever possible -- call 817-1717 from any Bay Area area code for regional ground transportation fare and schedule information.

-- Check with your airline before coming to the airport to reconfirm flight schedules. Also, you can check the FAA's air traffic web site at www.fly.faa.gov to check on airport status across the country. To view Oakland International Airport's page, from the air traffic home page click on Southwestern States, then click on OAK.

-- Write down your parking location, should you use one of Oakland International Airport's parking lots. On-airport parking is at a premium during the holidays. As an alternative consider taking public transportation, a regional shuttle or being dropped off/picked up.

-- Get a good night's sleep and eat a light meal before your flight. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices before and during your flight to prevent dehydration.

Happy Holidays and happy traveling from the more than 10,000 employees at Oakland International Airport.