Airports offer passengers
tips for safe airline
travel
 By
Megan Finnerty
Features Editor
It's not going to be fast. It's not going to be
easy. It's not going to be convenient.
But airline travel is going to be safer. Or at
least that is what airport officials around the nation are hoping this
week as flight schedules get closer to normal following the attacks
Sept. 11 in New York City and Washington, D.C.
According to travel advisories from across the
country, from now on, travelers should plan on doing things differently
when they fly, starting when they leave their homes.
These tips are from the Chicago Airport System,
the Indianapolis Airport Authority and selected airports throughout
the nation.
• Travelers should arrive at the airport two
to three hours before scheduled departure time.
• International travelers should arrive at
least three hours before scheduled departure time
• Curbside check-in at the airports has been
discontinued. All passengers must check in at ticket counters.
• Only ticketed passengers will be allowed
beyond security checkpoints. People without tickets will no longer be
allowed to meet or see off passengers
• Vehicles are only allowed to pick up or
drop off in front of terminals. Unattended or waiting vehicles will
be towed immediately.
•Carry-on bags could be hand-searched at many
airports, so airports are requesting that most packages and bags be
checked in as to minimize time spent in line.
• Any item that could be used as a weapon
will be confiscated; this includes less obvious things such as nail
files, tweezers and letter openers, etc.
• No knives of any kind will be permitted
past security checkpoints.
• There will be no food service beyond security.
• Many airports are conducting random identification
and baggage
inspections on airport property, be prepared to
present proof of identification.
• Limited taxi service is available at most
airports, but travelers are to expect delays. But limousine, scheduled
bus and shuttle services are available as usual.
• There will be more police and security personnel
at airports as well as increased vigilance for unattended luggage.
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