Help urged in easing holiday airport jams
| • | What's open and closed Thanksgiving Day |
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
State and federal transportation officials are doing what they can to ease congestion at Hawai'i airports, but officials are hoping travelers will do their part to make security lines flow smoothly during the busy holiday travel season.
Air travel is expected to be heavy tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day and continue through Jan. 4. The busiest days are expected to be today and Sunday; Dec. 23, 24 and 28; and Jan. 1, 2, and 3.
Sidney Hayakawa, Transportation Security Administration director in Honolulu, said his agency has taken measures to help reduce congestion at the airport. He said employee leave has been restricted, managers are working with screeners, and checkpoints are opening earlier and closing later.
Hayakawa added that vendor deliveries will be scheduled during slow hours at the airport, and preventive maintenance will be done on screening equipment so they will not have to be taken off-line when a checkpoint is open.
But Hayakawa said passengers also can help by following a few tips so they will not be surprised when they arrive at the airport. He said travelers should be at the airport at least two hours before an interisland flight, three hours before Mainland and international flights, and allow more time if they plan to park at the airport.
Hayakawa reminded people to leave Christmas gifts unwrapped because they may be opened for inspection. Passengers also are encouraged to use airline e-ticket check-in kiosks, drive-through check-in, or print boarding passes on their personal computers before arriving at the airport.
Rodney Haraga, Department of Transportation director, also asked passengers to pack smart and not put contraband in carry-on luggage. These items include knives, box cutters, scissors and carpenter tools, which should be packed in checked-in baggage.
Haraga said contraband items collected at the airport have gone up 20 percent from last year and most of the items have been found in hand-carried luggage.
"Aside from contraband being a safety issue, the confiscation of these items are adding to the long security lines at our airports," Haraga said. "The public is asked to do their part in helping keep those security lines down during the already busy holiday season."
For a complete list of traveling tips, prohibited items and other travel information, visit the TSA Web site at www.TSATravelTips.us.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
