Thanksgiving Travelers Advised to be Prepared
Simple suggestions can help smooth travel
during busy holiday season

San José, CA – With many changes to roads, parking and terminals at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) because of construction of improvements, Thanksgiving holiday travelers should to get to the airport at least 90 minutes before their flight and be prepared for TSA security measures during the busy holiday travel season.

The Thanksgiving holiday period is the busiest at SJC and airports across the country, and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving typically is the busiest day of the year. Airlines are reporting that many of their flights from San Jose are already 100 percent booked over the next twelve days as people join their families for the holiday.

“We’ve taken many steps to help make the traveling experience more comfortable and convenient for our passengers during this period.” Vicki Day, director of customer services for SJC.

“Airport ‘ambassadors’ will be stationed throughout our terminals during peak periods, particularly at security checkpoints, to help our customers and answer their questions. We’re also working closely with TSA to do all we can to make the security process as efficient as possible.”

“The New Airport” Construction and Holiday Parking
Travelers are advised that there have been airport roadway and parking changes since last Thanksgiving. For travelers’ convenience, no roadway construction has been scheduled during peak travel periods.

Some of the changes made this year include:

• Skyport Connector: The interim connector links the Airport’s terminal roadway directly to Skyport Drive, and drivers have found it easier to navigate than the previous southern loop of the terminal road. Drivers do need to watch for the signs that direct them to the correct lanes to leave the airport via Skyport to reach Highway 87, return to the terminals, or exit south to Coleman Avenue and I-880.
  
• Relocated Cell Phone Waiting Area on Airport Parkway: A new parking area for people waiting to pick up passengers at the Airport has been designated along Airport Parkway between the Highway 87 overpass and Technology Drive. The new 30-minute free parking zone is on both sides of the street, allows drivers to wait for their pick-ups without circling the terminal roadways.
  
• Guaranteed Long-Term Parking: Everyone who parks at SJC over the Thanksgiving holiday period is assured a space either in the long-term lot on Martin Avenue or in the short-term lots directly across from the terminals. Long-term parking is $15.00 per day, and short-term parking is $30.00 per day. Save $3 per day on long-term parking by using a discount coupon available at www.flysanjose.com. The promotion coupon is good to January 7, 2008.
  
• One-Hour Express Parking: 100 clearly marked parking spaces are reserved for near baggage claim and ticket counters at both terminals for very short-term parking for customers. The price for Express Parking is $3.00 per hour or $1.00 per each 20 minutes.

SJC and TSA Holiday Travel Tips
TSA’s “3-1-1 program” is a simple way to remember security rules now in effect at airports. By following these guidelines ahead of time, passengers can help make the security screening process much faster and easier for everyone.

• 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquid or gel are permitted. More than three ounces must be packed in checked baggage.
  
• 1-quart clear plastic, zip-top bags for holding 3-ounce or smaller containers.
  
• 1 bag per traveler is allowed. Be sure to have it in hand at the checkpoint for inspection.
  Beverages and other items purchased by passengers after security checkpoint are allowed on the plane. During the holiday season, passengers should bring only unwrapped gifts, as wrapped items may have to be unwrapped and inspected, causing delays. Go to www.tsa.gov for the latest security policies.

The New Airport
The airport’s comprehensive terminal area improvement program is replacing and upgrading existing terminals and roadways over the next three years. When completed in mid-2010, the new airport will provide better service and greater convenience for the benefit of travelers and businesses in the South Bay.

The overall project includes the construction of a new Terminal B that will take the place of Terminal C, originally built in 1965; upgrades and expansion of Terminal A to provide more spacious waiting areas and faster security check-in systems; a new 3350-space rental car parking garage directly in front of the terminals; more options for food, beverage, and retail services; and improved roadways serving the airport.

Over the coming month, Terminal C is being modified to serve as an interim facility with relocation of airline ticket offices and reassignment of gates within the terminal. In early December a more efficient consolidated security checkpoint will open to provide better customer service and reduce delays for passengers. The checkpoint change also will greatly enhance post-security food and beverage services for passengers.

About Mineta San José International Airport
Mineta San José International Airport, a self-supporting enterprise, is owned and operated by the City of San José, California’s third largest city and the nation’s tenth largest city. SJC served nearly 11 million passengers and handled more than 200 million pounds of cargo in 2006. SJC has 189 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 30 nonstop destinations. For more Airport information, visit www.sjc.org, or call Airport Customer Service at (408) 501-0979. Motorists can also tune their radios to 530 AM within two miles of SJC for current information on airport traffic, parking and security.

-SJC-

1732 N. First Street, Suite 600, San José, CA 95112-4538 24 Hour Media Line: 408.501.7700