Date: November 15, 2012
The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are among the busiest travel times of the year. To minimize the hassle factor and streamline the screening process, follow these helpful travel tips.
Airport/Airline Tips
- Based on the loads reported by the airlines, the busiest days will be on Friday, November 16, and Sunday, November 25. If you have not yet booked your flight, there are still seats available.
- Arrive at the airport early – at least 1.5 to 2 hours before your flight. The checkpoint opens at 4 am. Arriving early ensures you will be on the flight.
- Be at your gate to begin loading AT LEAST 30 minutes before departure. Ticket counters close 30 minutes before departure, and airlines close the aircraft door 10 minutes prior to departure.
- To speed up the check-in process, check-in online from home within to 24 hours of your departure. This allows you to print your boarding passes and get your seat assignments. If you are not checking bags and have your boarding pass, you can avoid the ticket counter and go straight to security.
- Put your contact information inside and outside your bag.
- Review your airline’s bag policies and weight limits. Excess weight will cost more.
- Our mobile website, www.flywichita.com, has up-to-date flight status and pertinent travel information.
- If you find that you get through security with time to spare, relax and have breakfast, read the newspaper, or surf the web. At Mid-Continent, our WiFi is FREE throughout the terminal.
- The Flight Deck at former gate 9 is a great place to relax. It is equipped with outlets for your laptops and cell phones. It also has comfy seating and rocking chairs.
- With our expanded Park & Ride lot, there should be ample parking space. While you may park in any of our lots, the Park & Ride lot is the cheapest at only $6/day. The free shuttle will deliver you right in front of the terminal, rotating back and every 10 minutes or less. Wait for the shuttle in one of the shelters in the Park & Ride lot.
- If picking up guests arriving at Mid-Continent, wait for them in the cell phone lot, located just south of the Park & Ride lot. Once your guest has collected their bags, they simply call you and you can pick them up in front of the terminal.
- Customers who park in any of our lots can receive vehicular assistance such as airing up a low tire, starting a vehicle with a dead battery, or getting shoveled out. For assistance, call 316-946-4772.
- Look for the Courtesy Crew in the red jackets if you need assistance.
Security Advice
- Pack smart. Review TSA’s list of permitted and prohibited items at http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information.
- Passengers 12 and under are able to leave their shoes on when going through security checkpoints.
- Passengers 75 and older can leave shoes and light jackets on through security checkpoints.
- NO carry-on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in containers 3.4 oz. or smaller.
- No knives or weapons in carryon luggage.
- Make sure you have your government-issued photo ID.
- Travelers should remember the three simple steps to security: have ID’s out, coats and shoes off, and laptops and 3-1-1 bags out for screening. TSA reminds travelers to follow 3–1–1 for carry-on luggage for non-exempt liquids: 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; placed in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The limitations on liquids apply only to carry-on bags and larger quantities may be packed in checked baggage.
- TSA also recommends that passengers do not travel with wrapped packages. In order to determine if the contents of a package are a threat, a security officer may need to unwrap and inspect the item.
- TSA allows small snow globes in carry-on luggage when packed in a passenger’s plastic 3-1-1 bag. Snow globes that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis-ball size) will be permitted if the entire snow globe, including the base, is able to fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag as a passenger’s other liquids.
- Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.
- TSA reminds travelers to be vigilant during the holiday travel season by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement. The traveling public plays an important role in security, so “If You See Something, Say Something.”
Thank you for flying Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, and we wish everyone a safe holiday travel season.
