November 20, 2003
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Mindy Hamlin, Communications Manager
RDU Offers Passengers Holiday Travel Tips
RDU AIRPORT, NC (November 20, 2003) - This holiday travel season, Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers passengers tips to make their trip as stress free as possible. The week of Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period of the year and passengers are reminded to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight departs.
RDU officials expect over 200,000 people to pass through the airport during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which begins Monday, November 24 and ends Monday, December 1.
Holiday helpers will be stationed throughout the terminals to assist travelers and can be identified by their blue RDU t-shirts. Authority employees will also be located in the parking facilities to help drivers locate their vehicles and assist with dead batteries, if needed.
Parking ambassadors will also be on hand to introduce motorists to Exit Express, the new way to pay for parking at RDU. The airport introduced the program earlier this week when it opened its newest parking garage featuring 6,200 additional spaces located between the terminals.
Following are RDU's "Get Ready for Takeoff" travel tips. A complete holiday travel guide is located on the airport's web site at www.rdu.com.
Preparing for Your Trip
- Limit carry-on items to one bag and one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase.
- Place all undeveloped film in carry-on luggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
- Remove all knives, scissors and blades of any type or size from carry-on luggage. If taking these items with you on your trip, place them in your checked luggage.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID. Keep it readily available, as you may be required to show it at several points during your trip.
- Leave gifts unwrapped as they may need to be opened and are subject to search.
- Contact your airline before leaving for the airport to confirm flight departure time.
At the Airport
- Arrive at least two hours before your flight departs to leave ample time for parking, ticketing and security processing.
- Follow signs to the new entrance to all terminal area parking. Over 11,000 parking spaces are now available within walking distance of the terminals.
- Keep your parking ticket with you and pay for parking using Exit Express when you return from your trip. Exit Express pay stations are located along pedestrian walkways between the terminals and the parking garage.
- Use self-service kiosks at airline ticketing counters for greater convenience and efficiency.
Security Checkpoint
- Only ticketed passengers are permitted past security checkpoint; however, arrangements can be made for non-travelers to accompany children and travelers requiring special assistance.
- While in line at the checkpoint, place cell phone, pager, keys, coins and all other objects containing metal in your carry-on bag.
- Label all medication.
- For more security checkpoint travel tips, visit www.tsa.gov.
Tips for Families
- When traveling with children, allow extra time for check-in and security checkpoint; prepare children by explaining the security process ahead of time.
- Place all carry-on luggage, including children's bags and toys, on the X-ray machine.
- Place all child-related equipment, such as strollers and baby carriers, on the X-ray machine. Fold all child-related equipment and secure all items in pockets or baskets before you arrive at the X-ray machine.
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