ADVISORY, Nov. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Smart Traveler Tips for 2004 Holidays
LAX officials recommend several useful tips for travelers:
Before arriving at LAX, passengers should remember:
-- Do not pack or bring prohibited items to LAX, especially replicas
of weapons. Visit the U.S. Transportation Security
Administration's website at www.tsa.gov for a comprehensive,
up-to-date list on what you can and cannot pack.
-- Leave gifts or large boxes unwrapped for inspection.
-- Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain
metal. Metal items may set off the alarm during passenger
screening.
-- Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on
baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage
undeveloped film.
-- Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on item plus one personal
item. This includes laptops, purses, backpacks, briefcases or
camera cases.
-- Place identification tags on and in all your baggage.
-- Travelers 18 years and older require a government-issued photo
identification to receive boarding passes.
-- Reduce hassles getting to the airport by taking shared ride
transportation, such as door-to-door shuttle vans, the Van Nuys
FlyAway, Metro Rail Green Line trains, airport and public buses,
taxis and limos.
-- If picking up passengers, take advantage of the convenient two
hours free parking in Economy Lots B and C. Drivers can wait in
these lots until their arriving party calls them by cell phone
that they are ready to be picked up terminal curbside. (NEW)
-- Travelers with early-morning flights might consider getting to the
airport the night before. Many LAX-area hotels permit guests to
park at no charge for additional days if the guest has paid for
one night's lodging. (NEW)
-- Save time by obtaining boarding passes electronically at home,
using airlines' Internet websites. (NEW)
-- If you wish to lock your checked baggage, use a TSA recognized
lock. Visit the TSA's website for a current list of luggage and
lock manufacturers who produce locks that can be opened with a
special tool used by security screeners. (NEW)
While at the airport, travelers should remember:
-- Passenger drop-off and pick-up only is permitted at terminal
curbside -- no parking or waiting curbside will be allowed. Meet
arriving passengers in the baggage claim areas on the
Lower/Arrivals Level or at terminal curbside.
-- Do not agree to watch strangers' luggage.
At passenger security screening:
-- Do not bring drinks or other liquids to the security checkpoints
unless they are in re-sealable or spill-proof containers.
-- Take laptop computers out of their carrying cases and place them
in a bin.
-- Take off your outer coat, jacket or blazer for passenger
screening. (NEW)
-- Place all metals inside your carry-on bag, including jewelry,
loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers and personal digital
assistants. As an alternative, use a clear plastic zipped bag to
place these items inside so you can drop in and zip through
passenger screening. (NEW)
For passenger service information:
-- Log onto the LAX Internet website at www.lawa.org, then click on
"Airport Conditions" for information on current flight operations,
weather impacts across the U.S. and vehicular traffic status.
-- Call the LAX toll-free phone number at (888) 544-9444.
-- Tune radios to AirRadio 530 AM for airport conditions.
-- Call the LAX General Information Operators at (310) 646-5252.
-- Passengers with disabilities, medical concerns, or other special
needs should visit the TSA website www.tsa.gov or contact their
airline.
-- Passengers with questions or complaints about security procedures
should call the TSA Consumer Response Center toll-free at (866)
289-9673 or e-mail the agency at TellTSA@tsa.gov.