Sacramento International Airport is gearing up for the last big travel season of the year. As the winter holidays approach, here are some suggestions to make air-travel experiences as merry as possible.
IF FLYING OUT OF SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
• Arrive two hours in advance of departure to allow time for possible delays. The busiest days are expected to be Dec. 20-23 but this suggestion applies to all pre-Christmas flights.
• Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers allow time to find alternative parking in case their favorite location is full. Customers must pay the posted rate at whatever parking option they select.
• The economy lot is very popular this time of year. While it is the largest lot at the airport it tends to fill to capacity over the holidays. An alternative is the daily lot for $12 a day. It is closer to the terminals and requires a shorter shuttle ride. Covered parking is available at the garage for $17 a day.
• It may be better to wrap gifts after clearing the security checkpoint. According to the TSA, while wrapped gifts are not prohibited, if a gift trips an alarm, security officers may have to unwrap it to take a look inside.
• Check the TSA website at www.tsa.gov to see what food is allowed and what needs to be checked. Creamy salad dressings, cranberry sauce and dips need to be inside your checked bags. Cakes and pies are acceptable, but they may be subject to screening.
• Parking conditions and other airport information are broadcast on a three-mile radius from the airport on 530AM. Parking lot closures will also be posted on overhead signs visible upon entering the airport.
IF PICKING UP PASSENGERS:
• Flight arrival information is available on airline websites or www.smf.aero
• It takes an average of 20 minutes from the time a plane lands until passengers arrive at baggage claim. Parking and waiting at the curb is strictly prohibited. The free waiting area (also known as the cell phone lot) offers visitors an opportunity to wait until passengers call to let them know they are at the curb, ready to be picked up.
• The doors at Terminal B are numbered and designated by airline name for easy identification and pick-up.
• A new loop road is available at Terminal B to help drivers who need to circle around the terminal.
• Free holiday entertainment will be offered at Terminal B from Dec. 21-23. Scheduling information is available on the international airport website at www.smf.aero
Sacramento County Airport System is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Airport System is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit www.sacramento.aero/smf
