For the week of December 3 - 9, 2003

Airport gears up
for holiday rush

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Be prepared:
Here are some airport tips
for high season travelers:

• Be at the airport no later than 90 minutes prior to departure.
  
   
• Passengers are asked to conduct farewells before entering the terminal.
  
   
• Gifts should not be wrapped before flying. Security personnel may have to open them at the checkpoint.
  
   
• "Pack Smart" . . . Be sure to luggage does not contain any restricted items. A list can be found at www.TSATravelTips.US.
  
   
• "Dress the Part" . . . Avoiding clothing and accessories that may set off metal detection equipment will speed the security screening.
  
   
• If inclement weather is imminent, air carriers recommend calling three hours in advance of departure. Alternative transportation may require an earlier departure from the airport.
  
   
• Passengers are limited to one carry-on item and one personal item such as a lap top computer or a handbag.

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Beginning Dec. 14, Friedman Memorial Airport will be hosting early morning flights that promise a challenge for airport managers. At 7 a.m. each morning through the winter months a maximum of 100 passengers will be filling the terminal at the Hailey airport.

"We hope people will show up on time, not five minutes before trying to wrap presents," said Transportation Security Administration Supervisor Charlie Riemann.

The early morning terminal pressure is new at the airport, and managers want passengers to be prepared. Two new flights are scheduled. One aircraft with a 60-passenger capacity will serve the new Hailey-Oakland flight offered by Horizon Air. The second plane is a Sky West departure for Salt Lake City with space for 40 passengers.

Airport officials are hoping to mitigate the impact of having 100 people in the terminal at the same time by asking passengers to be at the airport no later than 90 minutes prior to scheduled departures.

Security clearance is the juggernaut at the airport for all flights, said airport manager Rick Baird. But two simultaneous flights and the early hour could exacerbate the challenge of getting the flights off on time.

Passengers are asked to say goodbye to friends and family before entering the terminal to help cut down on the crowding potential.

Airport managers also ask that travelers come prepared for the rush by dressing with clothing that is least likely to trigger security screening equipment.

The airlines recommend that passengers wait to wrap gifts after arriving at a final destination. Also, to reduce luggage while traveling it is recommended that travelers send packages and gifts ahead of time.

All electronic items are subject to additional X-ray screening. Travelers should be prepared to show government-issued photo identification along with a boarding document showing the proper date to enter the secured area beyond the screening checkpoint.

The process will be repeated at noon daily at Friedman when three aircraft are scheduled to depart between 11:55 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. One Horizon flight will be headed to Los Angeles and two Sky West aircraft will be bound for Salt Lake City.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.