Airport teams up with GLAD bags to assist holiday travelers with new TSA rules on liquids and gels
RDU Airport, NC – The year-end travel period kicks off this week at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Nearly 300,000 passengers are expected to travel through RDU in the two week period beginning Wednesday, December 20 and ending Tuesday, January 2.
This holiday season, the Airport Authority is teaming up with the makers of GLAD bags, Anton Airfoods and Paradies Shops to provide quart-size bags to passengers traveling with liquids and gels in their carry-on luggage. Airport Authority volunteers will be distributing the bags on peak travel days.
The bags are in response to recently modified TSA rules limiting liquids and gels in carry-on luggage to three ounces or less. All travel-size toiletries must fit into one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag. All other liquids and gels should be packed in passengers’ checked luggage. One bag is permitted per passenger.
Prescription medications, baby formula and milk are allowed in quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag.
The Airport Authority urges travelers to go through their carry-on luggage before coming to the airport to ensure all liquids and gels are packed correctly and that all prohibited items are removed. More information and a complete list of prohibited items can be found at www.tsa.gov.
Following are additional tips for holiday travelers.
Before Coming to the Airport
Weather can greatly affect flight schedules. Before coming to the airport, check the status of your flight by contacting the airline’s 800 number or by visiting the airline’s Web site. Links to airline Web sites can be found at www.rdu.com.
If possible, print your boarding pass at home or work. At the airport, use the airline’s electronic kiosks to speed up the check-in process. Remember to leave luggage unlocked for security screening and place ID tags on the inside and outside of your bags.
Arrive Early
The busiest days of the holiday period will be Wednesday, December 20 through Friday, December 22 and December 30 through January 2. The busiest times of the day are early morning, late afternoon and early evening. During these times, airport officials recommend travelers arrive at least two hours before their flight departs. Flights will be fully booked and it will be difficult to get to your destination if you miss your flight.
Parking at RDU
RDU has plenty of parking for holiday travelers. The most popular parking areas, which includes the garage between the terminals, may fill up. RDU encourages motorists to read the electronic signs leading into the airport for information on parking availability.
Motorists parking in the garage are reminded to keep their parking tickets with them. ExitExpress is the way to pay for parking at RDU; pay stations are located between the terminal and the garage.
Preparing for Security Checkpoint
This holiday season, remember to leave gifts unwrapped. They may be opened for inspection. Also, all undeveloped film should be placed in your carry-on luggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage some undeveloped film.
Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal and may set off the alarm at the security checkpoint. Before proceeding through the metal detector at the security checkpoint, remove coats, jackets, blazers and shoes. All metal objects, including cell phones and pagers, should be placed in carry-on luggage or in the containers provided at the checkpoint. Remember, carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item per passenger.
Keep boarding passes and photo IDs out and visible throughout the security screening process.
For additional travel tips, including information for families traveling with small children, please visit www.rdu.com.
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