LAX EXPECTS 2.6 MILLION PASSENGERS TO USE LAX DURING HOLIDAYS
City Officials Cite New Conveniences; Offer Helpful Travel Tips

(Los Angeles, California - December 20, 2002) Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officials are estimating 2.6 million holiday travelers will pass through the airport between Friday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 5. The daily average of this year's passenger traffic is expected to be about 11 percent greater than last year's, however it remains down an estimated nine percent from the record holiday travel recorded in late Dec. 2000 and early Jan. 2001.

Officials noted this year's holiday travel period spans 17 days compared with only 13 days last year when the holiday travel period ran from Friday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 2, and the airport served 1.8 million travelers.

Mayor Hahn's priority is to make LAX the most secure airport in the United States "The airport has implemented several measures to enhance airport security and passenger convenience. The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added new passenger screening lanes and reconfigured checkpoints to minimize delays for passengers," said Mayor Hahn.

LAX officials have beefed up terminal and perimeter security. Mayor Hahn also spoke about a recently approved city ordinance that restricts solicitors to designated areas in all passenger terminals. The law went into effect Dec. 16 to reduce overly aggressive solicitations and to help passenger traffic flow smoothly.

Mayor Hahn also noted that LAX Ambassadors will be working in full force to assist passengers with information and directions at terminal curbside and in ticketing lobbies.

Many passengers will see new federalized baggage screening equipment to detect for explosives for the first time. Mayor Hahn emphasized that both LAX and Ontario International Airport (also owned and operated by Los Angeles City) are poised to meet the December 31 federal deadline for screening all checked baggage.

The Transportation Security Administration has been installing explosive detection equipment in the airline ticketing lobbies, and has begun the phase-in of checked-baggage screening so that it can reach the 100 percent level by December 31. Passengers will be able to continue checking luggage at their preferred check-in location -- airline ticket counters, airline self-service computer kiosks or curbside check-in.

Mayor Hahn explained that passengers play a major role in aviation security and customer service. By following some "Smart Traveler" tips, passengers can lessen the stress of holiday travel and help speed everyone through security checkpoints:

Before arriving at LAX, passengers should remember:

• Do not pack or bring prohibited items to LAX. Do not pack food or beverages -- which tend to set off alarms -- in checked luggage. Don't stack books in luggage -- spread them out. Put footwear on top of other contents.
• Do not wrap gifts or large boxes to be carried on or checked in.
• Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm at the metal detector.
• Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in 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, such as a laptop, purse, backpack, briefcase or camera case.
• Place identification tags on and in all baggage.
• Travelers 18 years and older require government-issued, photo identification to receive boarding passes.

While at the airport, travelers should remember:

• Passenger drop-off and pick-up at terminal curbside is permitted. Meet arriving passengers in the baggage claim areas on the Lower/Arrival Level.
• Do not bring drinks or other liquids to the security checkpoints unless they are in paper or foam containers that are re-sealable or spill-proof.
• All metals should be placed inside carry-on baggage. This includes jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers and personal digital assistants.
• Take laptop computers out of their carrying cases and place them in a bin.

For more information:
        There are a number of sources for up-to-date passenger service information:

• Log onto the LAX Internet website at www.lawa.org.
• Tune radios to AirRadio AM 530 for airport traffic information.
• Call the LAX General Information Operators at (310) 646-5252.
• Passengers with disabilities, medical concerns, or other types of special needs should visit the TSA website www.TSATravelTips.US, or contact your 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 TSA-ConsumerResponse@tsa.dot.gov.