Smart Traveler Tips for 2004 Holidays

ADVISORY, Nov. 17, 2004 -- 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.gov for 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.

CONTACT:  Thomas Winfrey
          (310) 646-5260

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