"Hartsfield to get about 1.7 million travelers this weekend"

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Hartsfield to get about 1.7 million travelers this weekend
Passengers urged to arrive at airport two hours before scheduled departure
By JIM THARPE
The Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution


Higher fares don't seem to be keeping people away from the world's businest
airport this holiday week.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport officials predict that 1.7 million
people will move through the airport for the July 4th holiday week, which
ends on Monday, July 7. That's a 6 percent increase over the same period
last year.

An average day for the time period could bring as many as 250,000 travelers
to Hartsfield-Jackson.

Hartsfield-Jackson Marketing Director Jeff Pearse said there are three
reasons for the increased number of holiday fliers in this sluggish economy,
which has been accompanied by higher fares as airlines battle soaring fuel
costs.

Some of the fliers are Europeans taking advantage of the weak dollar and
either changing planes Atlanta or coming here for a visit, Pearse said. Many
fliers also booked their holiday flights months ago when tickets were
cheaper. Finally, a fluke of timing skews year-to-year comparisons.

"Last year, the Fourth fell on a Wednesday, so people did not travel as
much," Pearse said. "This year it's on a Friday, which is more conducive to
a long weekend."

Airport and security officials warn fliers to allow themselves more time to
arrive and to clear security.

Here are a few of their suggestions:

1. Follow the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 rule. All
liquids, gels or aerosols must fit in a clear, plastic one-quart, zip-top
bag. No one of these items can exceed three ounces. Each passenger is
limited to one, one-quart bag. The bag must be removed from any carry-on
luggage and placed in a security bin for x-ray inspection. Following the
3-1-1 rule will get you, your family and other passengers through security
quicker.

2. Prescription medications, baby formula and milk are allowed in quantities
exceeding three ounces. These items are not required to be in a zip-top bag.
However, you must declare these items for inspection at the TSA checkpoint.

3. A complete list of items prohibited aboard passenger planes is available
at www.tsa.gov.

4. Travelers on domestic flights are strongly encouraged to arrive at least
2 hours prior to their scheduled departure and up to 3 hours prior to the
departure time for international destinations.

5. Hartsfield-Jackson customer service representatives wearing teal jackets
and airport volunteers in red vests are available to help you.

6. Get free security checkpoint wait times on your PDA, cell phone or pager
by registering for Trak-A-Line at www.atlanta-airport.com. You can also get
flight arrival and departure information at the site and through
Trak-A-Flight for your PDA, cell phone or pager.

8. Call 1-877-ATL-PARK for road conditions and parking space availability
before arriving at the Airport. Within a 10-mile radius of the Airport, tune
into AM 830 for this information. Allow at least 30 extra minutes if you
plan to park at the Airport.

Passengers expected to use Hartsfield-Jackson during the holiday weekend:

. Thursday: 261,005

. Friday: 178,129

. Saturday: 206,968

. Sunday: 255,796

. Monday: 268,939

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