Tips to make traveling easier this holiday season

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are historically the two busiest travel days of the year, and they mark the beginning of the winter Holiday travel season. Planning and preparation can help you avoid many of the common pitfalls associated with holiday travel.

Here are a few travel tips from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that will help make your holidays even more joyful.

Plan Ahead for Travel Ease

• Plan to arrive at the airport an hour and a half before your flight departs. For your convenience, FWA has customer service agents who provide complimentary parking lot shuttle service and will gladly help you during your check-in at the airport. Also, FWA provides 30 minutes free parking in the short-term and long-term lots for those who may be greeting or dropping off passengers.
• Be aware the airlines have instituted a "30-minutes prior to flight" cut-off for passengers and baggage. If you are not checked in prior to the cut-off, you and/or your luggage may not be permitted to board the plane.
• Effective November 1, 2010, Secure Flight, a TSA program, formally begins that requires airlines to collect a passenger’s full name, birth date, and gender at booking. If passengers do not provide this information at least 72 hours before their flight, they will not be issued a boarding pass for the flight. Most airline sites and booking engine sites have been requiring this information when booking tickets.
• Make sure that your confirmation itinerary has your name spelled correctly as well as matching your government issued ID. If not, contact the airline directly to correct the error. Otherwise, you may be slowed down at check-in as well as security checkpoint.
• Free Wi-Fi is offered at FWA as well as computers in our business center located on the second floor beyong security checkpoint so you may stay connected while waiting for the departure of your flight.
• Winter weather may cause changes in schedules. Call your airline or check their Internet website to check on flight times. There is also real-time flight arrival and departure information on the FWA website: www.flyfwa.com to help make your trip to the airport to drop-off or pick-up travelers even easier.
• Leave gifts unwrapped for inspection. Packages may have to be unwrapped for screening purposes by TSA. It is suggested that gifts be shipped ahead of time or wrapped at destination.
• Pack Smart: Place your medicine, jewelry, cameras, film and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Prescription medication should be in its original container so that TSA can easily identify the product and intended user. Avoid over-packing your bag to allow the Security Officer to easily reseal your bag if is opened for inspection.
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule regarding liquids and gels when packing your carry-on. Only travel size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in a quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag are permitted through the security checkpoint. One zip-top bag per traveler.
• For the latest information regarding prohibited items, visit TSA’s website, www.tsa.gov.

“Since we historically see a greater number of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, a little bit of advanced planning will go a long way to making travel go a little smoother. Coming to the airport prepared and patient will help everyone,” said Dave Young, Vice President of Air Service.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit www.FWAirport.com.