Holiday Travel Tips from Wichita Mid-Continent Airport

Date: November 13, 2006
Contact: Valerie Wise, Air Service and Business Development Manager
E-mail : vwise@wichita.gov
: (316) 946-4700

In preparation for the upcoming holiday travel, the following travel tips have been compiled to make your trip through Mid-Continent Airport a breeze.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

Passengers are advised that when booking a flight, to make sure the name that appears on your boarding pass matches the government issued ID that you will use.
Wrap gifts at your final destination. If gifts have already been wrapped, be prepared to open them at the passenger screening area for inspection. Or, ship your packages ahead of time.
Do not pack fragile or valuable items in checked baggage. Ship or take them with you in carry-on baggage.
Do not over pack bags. Closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and may result in that checked bag being delayed.
Check with your airline regarding luggage weight limits.
Double check the contents of your pockets, bags and carry-on luggage to ensure no prohibited items were inadvertently packed. Lighters, firearms or other weapons are prohibited as carry-on items.
If needing a wheelchair, reserve one at the time you make your airline reservations.
Wear shoes that slip on and off easily, as you are required to remove them at the checkpoint.
Never put computers, cameras, cash, or jewelry in checked luggage. If the bag is lost or those items are missing or damaged, the airline will not cover them.
Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item.

ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT

Arrive at the airport 90 minutes to 2 hours prior to your departure. The longest lines at the screening checkpoint usually occur between 6:00 – 7:30 a.m., 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Heaviest travel days will be Monday, November 20, Tuesday, November 21, Wednesday, November 22, Sunday, November 26, and Monday, November 27.
Most airlines require passengers to check baggage at least 30 minutes prior to departure and be at the gate at least 20 minutes prior to departure. This may vary at some major airports, where passengers may be required to check baggage 45 minutes prior to departure.
Use the self-service check-in kiosks located at the ticket counters. They are easy to use and there is little waiting in line.
If you are using paper tickets, you must have them when you check in.
To save time, many airlines offer website check-in. This allows you to print your boarding pass from your computer within 24 hours of your departure.
If you need assistance, seek out one of the Courtesy Crew members. They will be wearing a bright red jacket.
Unattended vehicles parked in front of the terminal building will be ticketed. A vehicle is attended only if there is a licensed driver with the vehicle and you are actively loading and unloading.
Take advantage of the 30-minute grace period in the short-term lot if you are picking up or dropping off passengers.
All air travelers must be prepared to show government-issued photo identification and answer questions about luggage contents.
Luggage and personal articles must not be left unattended in the terminal building.
Packages or gifts should not be accepted from unknown persons.

GETTING THROUGH PASSENGER SCREENING

All passengers, including ticketless passengers, are required to have an airline-issued boarding pass to pass through the security checkpoint. Boarding passes can be obtained at the ticket counters, at automated kiosks located near the ticket counters, and some airlines offer boarding passes online.
Liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on bag must be in three-ounce or smaller containers and all packed in a one-quart, zip-top bag.
Declare larger liquids. Prescription medications, baby formula and milk are allowed in quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
Clear plastic bags are provided at the checkpoint for your personal belongings. Please place the contents of your pockets in these bags prior to going through the metal detectors to help speed up the screening process.
The equipment used to screen checked baggage will damage undeveloped film.
Pack your undeveloped film in your carry-on bag. High speed and specialty film should be hand inspected at the security checkpoint.
To facilitate hand-inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack in a clear plastic bag.
Take laptops and video cameras out of their cases.
Put metal IN your carry-on bag. This includes jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs).
All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Medications should be labeled so they are identifiable.
Passengers selected for additional screening have the right to request it be done in a private location.
Only ticketed passengers traveling the same day will be allowed beyond the screening checkpoint. If you have a medical, parental or other specific, verifiable need to accompany a ticketed passenger, please check with your airline to determine how to proceed.

OTHER HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS

Do not make jokes about weapons or explosive devices. Comments of this nature, made even in jest, can result in fines and civil penalties.
Place identification tags in and on all bags and laptop computers.

WILL THERE BE ROOM TO PARK?

There are three parking lots available to provide ample parking for your holiday travel. The long-term lot is within walking distance to the terminal building and costs $7.00/day. Payment for parking charges can be made with cash, credit or debit cards. The shuttle lot is located at the General Aviation/Air Cargo exit off of Mid-Continent Drive (just north of FedEx). A courtesy shuttle van operates every 10 minutes to/from the terminal building. Parking rates in this lot are $7.00/day and must be paid with credit or debit cards only; no cashier serves this lot. The short-term lot is also available, although it is intended for parkers who are in and out on the same day. Located closest to the terminal building, the maximum charge in this lot is $12.00/day.
The handicap-designated parking stalls are located in the short-term lot and shuttle lot. There is no charge for handicap parking. However, you must provide a photo ID to prove you are the person on the H/C ID car.
Please take advantage of the Skycap service available in front of the terminal building. If you pull up to the curb, the Skycaps unload your luggage while you park your car. Although this is a free service, tips are customary and very much appreciated.

Visit www.flywichita.com and www.tsa.gov for more travel information.

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