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Show AvgieUte Page 6 Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 Making it home for the holidays ByTONNlEDIXON staff writer Advanced preparation is one of the most important actions one can take when flying during the holiday season, said Barbara Gann, public relations and marketing director for Salt Lake City Department of Airports. "We're used to handling big crowds in Salt Lake International (Airport), but that doesn't mean there aren't things people should do to be prepared," Gann said. Gann said the Christmas rush is not the only time of the year when the airport gets crowded and busy. "Typically the holiday is busy, but it's not extraordinary. We always do that number of people many days during the summer," Gann said. According to a recent press release provided by Gann, passengers are urged to allow plenty of time to access the airport. Travelers should arrive two hours before their flight during the early mornings and afternoons on peak travel days during the holiday season. Jenny Beck, senior in public relations who travels frequently to North Carolina, said, "You have to go really early, like you have to be there two hours early. It's crazy. The lines are insane because that's usually when all the colleges go on break at the same time, and everybody's trying to get home too." Gann agreed. "You should be proactive, especially if there is a drive involved," Gann said. "Be extra cautious when there is inclement weather. But know that there is a tendency during the holidays for travel to be heavier than usual." Flight cancellation can be a concern for some travelers, Gann said. Speak Up " I always pack my suitcase half full so that I can take my gifts back home that I get from Christmas, because you'll run out of room or have to leave stuff and you don't want to do that." JUSTIN VANECK PREPARES TO FLY home to San Antonio, Texas for Christmas. Students should arrive early for flights, expect large crowds at airports and plan ahead when packing, said Barbara Gann, public relations and marketing director for Salt Lake City Department of Airports. PATRICK Jenny Beck, on flying home For Your Princess Store Hours: Mo n day- Saturday 10 am-7pm The Diamond Engagement Ring Store...since IH96 141 North Main • 752-7149 www.seneedham.com Mlddli of th* block at tkt sign of th* tlock s "We don't know why the airlines cancel, but it could be mechanical, the crew or that type of thing. But more than canceling, it is delays," she said. "During heavy weather periods, it slows things down where it makes it hard for planes to get in and out." Gann said there is a benefit to this year's holiday season falling over a long weekend. "There are a lot of days for it to be spread across that it does help to diffuse the crowd a little bit," she said. Jackie Banda, senior in public relations from North Los Angeles, said she has flown home the last four years and has had good luck when flying. "Around the holidays, it's definitely more crowded, but for some reason I get lucky," Banda said. "Like this past Thanksgiving, I had a whole row to myself. So I tend to get lucky and pick flights that aren't on the crowded dates." In the information provided by Gann, travelers are advised s Scribendi «Writing ": contest flll students are welcometoparticipate Submission deadline is February 8,2008 • The Thad and Jenny Box Creative Writing Award will also be given to the submission judged "best in contest." • For contest details go to http://english.usu.edu/ Contact Anne Shifrer 797-2731 or anneshifrer@usu.edu with additional questions. • Graduates and undergraduates compete separately in the following categories: poetry, shortfiction, and non-fiction essay. • Cash prizes will be awarded in each category. First place winning entries will be published in a hard copy edition of Scribendi and all winners will be published in an online version of Scribendi. • Also seeking artwork for Scribendi, "Memories of Christmas" Choirs Concert December 7 & 8 6:30 pm Featuring the Institute Choirs, USU Chamber Singers, and the Login 1 ligh School Crimson Colony. Prc-show begins ;it 6:30 with the main show at 7 pm in PACKING LIGHTLY, SMART A N D IN LAYERS can help speed up the check-in process at the airport when security checks bags, said Barbara Gann, who works for the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. She added that passengers should remember to carry liquids and gels in containers, holding 3 oz. or less in a clear, plastic bag. PATRICK ODEN photo to wrap gifts upon arrival or ship packages in advance since they may be unwrapped in both checked and unchecked baggage if further inspection is required. Gann said passengers are allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers holding three ounces or less, placed in one clear, resealable, quart-size plastic bag, and each passenger is limited to one plastic bag. Bags are available at the screening checkpoints, she said. "Pack lightly, pack smartly and in layers so that when security needs to look into your bag, they can easily see what's there," Gann said. "They won't impede you or other people in the airport." Beck's packing technique allows for more space for other important items. "I always pack my suitcase half full so that I can take my gifts back home that 1 get from Christmas, because you'll run out of room or have to leave stuff and you don't want to do that," she said. Beck said based on her experience, it is better not to check luggage after her luggage was lost from a connecting flight and not returned for three days. "The airport delivered it in their van and also gave us a voucher for $500," Beck said. "They made it up to us, but it's kind of a pain not to have your luggage." Resistration for Spring 2008 is now open the USU Kent Concert Mnll. Tickets are S3 per person, s 12 per family, and free for registered Institute students. Tickets available nr the Institute Bookstore. ODEN photo Religion In Life Fri. Dec 7 11:30 <i % Preservice Trainer ;it Logan Institute. USU degrees in Electrical Engineering 8c Instruc-. tional Technology, Register @ wise.ldsces.org Beck and Banda both said checking in at the airline kiosks helps expedite the process of flying home. Beck said, "If you don't check your luggage, you can just print your boarding pass off on the computer, like check-in online, and then go straight to the security gate." Banda said she buys her tickets online through Delta and can easily get through the check-in process quickly with a bar code. "I get a bar code and then check in at a kiosk, which saves me a lot of time because after I check in, I just have to get a little sticker on my bag and then I go through security and that's it. 1 don't have to worry about standing in line at the check-in counter," Banda said. Gann said international travelers cannot preprint their boarding pass as domestic travelers can. International travelers need to be to the airport at least an hour earlier than domestic travelers, Gann said. "International flights are different in a sense that there's more of a process to go through in terms of checking your credentials," she said. For more tips on preparing in advance and packing appropriately, visit www.tsa.gov. -t.dixon@aggiemail.usu.edu 'S?iV Lunch for the bunch follows: aVf2i2O always S2.50 or less So> |