SMART TRAVELER TIPS FOR 2004 HOLIDAYS

11/17/2004 12:00 AM

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.govfor 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.

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