This is the start of the holiday travel season and the nation’s airlines are attempting more than ever to warn passengers about the do’s and don’t’s of traveling, with the arrival of federal security screeners.
The heaviest holiday travel days will be Sunday and Dec. 1, the Sunday following Thanksgiving, officials at American and United Airlines say.
More than anything, they stress arriving early. With larger numbers of passengers flying, processing at security checkpoints won’t be as speedy as it is currently.
For those not checking luggage, be sure to arrive 60 minutes before a flight. Those checking luggage need to arrive 90 minutes before a flight.
Don’t attempt getting through a checkpoint with two carry-on bags, a laptop and a purse or camera bag. You won’t make it. Screeners will insist that at least one of the carry-ons be checked, a move that could delay your arrival at the gate. Passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item.
Wrap any presents being carried when you arrive at your destination. Screeners are required to unwrap any wrapped packages to make certain nothing illegal is being carried on board.
Finally, the list keeps growing as to what is banned on board an airplane. Travelers are being encouraged to review the list of banned items at www.tsa.dot.gov.
Drug message: United Airlines is one of three carriers working with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy by airing an anti-drug announcement as part of its in-flight video programming.
The announcements are intended to help parents understand the risks posed by marijuana and other illicit drugs and to provide suggestions and resources for raising healthy kids, according to White House officials.
In addition to United, US Airways and Northwest Airlines have been airing the messages on more than 61,000 flights.
“We hope this valuable drug prevention information will have lasting benefits for our employees, our customers and their families,” said Sara Fields, senior vice president of human resources at United.
Name an airline: Delta Air Lines, whose CEO is former Chicagoan Leo Mullin, has announced plans to launch a new discount airline early next year.
Delta’s plan is that the new carrier will challenge discount carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, which have been attracting growing legions of passengers on routes from the Northeast to Florida.
The only problem is that Mullin’s new airline doesn’t have a name.
Early entries in the naming contest include:
– Kudzu Air–in honor of Atlanta-based Delta’s southern roots and in part because the Japanese vine is growing faster than Southern gardeners can control.
-DeltaBlue–the name that Wall Street insiders seem to prefer.
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– Air Florida–in honor of the initial routes it will be flying. The name, however, might carry some adverse connotations due to a 1982 crash into the Potomac River in which 78 people died in an Air Florida plane.
Those having other ideas may submit them to the e-mail address below. They will be forwarded to Mullin and Delta officials.
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E-mail: jschmeltzer@tribune .com