Portland International Airport Ready for Record Spring Break Travel

PDX set an all-time annual record in 2006, serving more than 14 million passengers.

(PORTLAND) - Spring break for regional schools means the pace picks up at Portland International Airport.

More than 800,000 travelers are expected to use the airport during the spring break travel period spanning Thursday through April 10th.

During the busiest spring break periods, PDX will serve approximately 43,000 daily travelers, up from an average of 38,000 regular daily travelers this time of year.

Overall travel is expected to grow about 2 to 3 percent over last year, which could make this the busiest spring break ever.

PDX set an all-time annual record in 2006, serving more than 14 million passengers.

Reviewing general travel tips and flight schedule information before leaving home will help make travel a snap.

The Transportation Security Administration also offers security-related travel tips and a complete list of items prohibited on flights at www.tsa.gov.

Dozens of talented musicians and vocalists will return to PDX, providing special Spring Fling entertainment for travelers.

Many stores and restaurants are participating with promotions on food and merchandise.

In a drawing tied to the event, Delta Air Lines is celebrating its new nonstop service to New York’s Kennedy Airport by giving away a pair of tickets to a lucky traveler.

Contest rules and entry forms are available in the airport and at www.flypdx.com.

As a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda are reminded they now need a valid U.S. passport, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner's Document, NEXUS Air Card, or U.S. Permanent Resident Card.

A U.S. Permanent Resident Card (I-551 card) allows Mexican citizens to enter the U.S. without a passport. However, children who are U.S. citizens need a passport even if their parents have U.S. Permanent Resident Cards.

Information on obtaining passports is available at www.travel.state.gov, or www.usps.com.

Port of Portland Police and security patrols of parking lots will increase during spring break.

To promote security, motorists should lock their cars and take their keys with them when parking in any airport parking lot.

Motorists are encouraged to remove all valuables from vehicles, as leaving valuables is an invitation to theft. Travelers should also remove garage door openers and any items which could be used for identity theft purposes.

New “Mailsafe Express” shipping stations at PDX security checkpoints now make it easy for passengers to ship a prohibited item to their home or other destination.

When a prohibited item is identified, the TSA gives the passenger the option of surrendering the item, leaving the line to deal with the item, or using Mailsafe and continuing on through security.

Returning for spring break is the cell phone waiting area. Motorists can park in the special parking lot, wait for a call announcing an arrival, and then quickly pull up to the airport terminal to pick up travelers.

Signs on Northeast Airport Way and Northeast 82nd Avenue approaching the airport will guide motorists to the lot located on Northeast Air Cargo Road, just west of 82nd Avenue.

Motorists are also encouraged to use the “departures” roadway in front of the terminal when picking up arriving travelers late at night to avoid roadway congestion on the “arrivals” roadway.

Travelers should check with their airlines for guidance on when to arrive at the airport, but during the busy early morning hours, a good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before flights to allow for longer check-in and security lines.

When possible, travelers are encouraged to expedite their check-in process by using home computers, or self-service computer kiosks offered by many airlines.

The TSA may need to open bags during the screening process. If bags are locked and TSA cannot open them through other means, the locks may need to be broken. TSA suggests that travelers help prevent the need to break locks by using TSA-recognized locks.

These locks can be opened by TSA and can be purchased at multiple retail outlets. A list of recognized locks can be found at www.tsa.gov.

TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.

Travelers are allowed to carry through security checkpoints small amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of three ounces or less if placed comfortably into a one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Each passenger may bring one plastic zip-top bag. Travelers must remove the zip-top bag from the carry-on bag and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. Passengers may bring on board aircraft larger-size liquid and gel items, including beverages, provided they are purchased beyond the security checkpoint.

Travelers can pick the security checkpoint with the shortest line and use the Concourse Connector, if needed, to get to any gate in the airport. The corridor connects concourses A, B & C with concourses D & E, and is found near gates C-2 and D-2.

Travelers are allowed to bring through the security checkpoint only one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or small backpack.

Travelers cannot bring lighters (fueled or without fuel) in carry-on bags or on their person if going through the security checkpoint. Travelers may take up to two fueled lighters in checked bags, if properly enclosed in a Department of Transportation-approved case. Unlimited quantities of un-fueled lighters are allowed in checked bags.