Be prepared for air-travel rules

As travelers pack their holiday bags, workers at Salt Lake City International Airport are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year.

The Air Transport Association predicts 25 million American passengers will take to the skies through Nov. 28.

Thanksgiving will also be the first major holiday since the Travel Security Administration imposed new regulations.

The TSA is working to educate passengers about the new "3-1-1" program.

"A lot of times, people who travel over the Thanksgiving holiday aren't frequent travelers, so they don't know," said Barbara Gann, director of public relations and marketing for the Salt Lake Department of Airports.

The new regulations will allow people to carry liquids, aerosols or gels that are three ounces or less per container, placed in one clear, re-sealable, quart-size plastic bag, and each traveler is limited to one plastic bag.

The airport will have plastic bags available for travelers at security checkpoints, Gann said.

Limits on liquids reflect changes made after a foiled terror plot involving the possible use of liquid explosives in London in August. The ban was modified in late September.

Delays can be limited by passengers who prepare in advance and limit their carry-on baggage.

People are encouraged to put metal items in their carry-on and wear slip-on shoes. All bulky clothing, such as coats and big sweaters, will also have to be removed.

The TSA is asking passengers not to wrap gifts they take on airplanes.

"If (airport workers) can't detect what is in that package when it goes through the X-ray, they will have to unwrap it," Gann said. "Then you will lose your exquisite wrapping."

It is best to either mail the gifts or wrap them at the destination.

If passengers happen to pack something that is prohibited, they have two options: They can either surrender it to the TSA or they can mail it home.

New "On The Fly" kiosks will have stamps and envelopes for people to purchase, and the TSA will drop it in the mail, Gann said.

These new stores in the lobby area of the airport will also have snacks, magazines and other items for meet-and-greeters to purchase.

"Since 9/11, only ticketed passengers have been allowed beyond the security checkpoints," Gann said. "These provide a place to get a snack before you go in" to the airport.

Other added conveniences in newly remodeled areas of the airport include more passenger screening checkpoints.

An additional checkpoint is available in the International Terminal from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily.

While there are more checkpoints, people are still advised to show up early.

"Travelers are more concentrated during this time of year and there are more meet-and-greeters," Gann said.