RDU Airport, NC — Officials at Raleigh-Durham International Airport are preparing for a busy Thanksgiving holiday. Approximately 300,000 people are expected to travel through RDU this Thanksgiving travel period, which kicks off today and ends Monday, November 29.
The busiest travel days for Thanksgiving travel will be Tuesday, November 22, Wednesday, November 23, Thanksgiving morning, Sunday, November 27 and Monday, November 28.
“The holiday season is a stressful time to travel, but passengers can reduce this stress by arriving early, preparing for the security checkpoint and being as patient as possible,” said Michael Zunk, Federal Security Director, RDU & Eastern North Carolina Spoke Airports. “By preparing for the rigors of holiday travel, passengers will spend less time at the security checkpoint, reducing individual passenger’s stress and decreasing wait times for everyone.”
Construction Projects and Holiday Travel
Through December 2005, pedestrians heading to and from Terminal C will use the north crosswalk on the upper level of the parking garage. Construction crews are in the process of building a larger central pedestrian crosswalk.
At Terminal A, the airport is eliminating most surface crosswalks for improved pedestrian safety. All travelers who wish to access the parking garage from this area will be directed to the underground pedestrian tunnel. Travelers using Southwest and AirTran airlines can use the pedestrian tunnel by the main baggage claim or the surface crosswalk at the north end of Terminal A to enter the terminal-area parking facility.
RDU and TSA Offer Tips for Holiday Travelers
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Arrive early — Travelers should arrive at the airport 1 ½ to 2 hours before their flight departs. Two hours are recommended on peak travel days. Travelers should allow plenty of time to park, check-in with their airline and proceed through security checkpoint.
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To increase pedestrian safety, crosswalks and pedestrian patterns at both terminals A and C are changing. Be alert to new traffic patterns for cars and pedestrians. Signage will guide pedestrians and motorists.
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ExitExpress is the WAY to PAY for parking. If parking in the garage between the terminals, remember to keep your parking ticket with you. Pay for parking at an ExitExpress pay station before returning to your car. Motorists can also pay at the exit plaza using a credit card in designated lanes.
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Before you fly — visit the RDU Web site, www.rdu.com. Check your flight status, security check point tips and information on where to park, eat and much more.
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Save time — print out your boarding pass from your airline’s Web site. Most airlines allow passengers to print their boarding pass out before they head for the airport. If you are not checking luggage, you can go straight to the security checkpoint. If you are checking luggage, some airlines will have lines set up for travelers who already have their boarding passes.
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Use your airline’s electronic kiosk at the airport — get your boarding pass and check in luggage. The electronic kiosks are a faster way to get your boarding pass and to check in luggage. All airlines at RDU offer the self-service kiosks at or near their ticket counters.
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Be prepared for the security checkpoint. Before proceeding through the security checkpoint, travelers should remove coats, jackets, blazers and shoes. All metal objects should be placed in carry-on luggage or in the containers provided by the TSA at the checkpoint. For more information on what to pack and what not to pack visit http://www.tsa.gov/public/ .
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TSA now bans all cigarette lighters from aircraft cabins. This is the most significant change since last Thanksgiving. Passengers are encouraged to dispose of their lighters prior to entering the security checkpoint.
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Keep boarding passes and photo IDs out and visible until you have exited the security checkpoint.
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Remove all knives, scissors and blades of any type or size from your carry-on luggage. If taking these items with you, place them in your checked luggage.
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Leave gifts unwrapped, as they may need to be opened and are subject to search.
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