Hartsfield-Jackson

International Airport officials are in full holiday mode to get passengers

to their seasonal destinations this week.

Officials are hopeful

that the recent decrease in summer wait times will translate to the holiday

season, but remind passengers that the Thanksgiving holiday travel period

is the airport's busiest time.

Airport public relations

manager Lanii Thomas said many passengers arrive home on the Monday after

Thanksgiving and passengers should allow at least an extra 30 minutes

for their arrival time.

"As people make

their way back and forth this holiday season, we anticipate seeing significantly

more air travelers this Thanksgiving," Aviation General Manager Ben

DeCosta said this week in a press release. The heaviest travel days are

expected to be today, with more than 233,000 passing through the gates,

and Sunday, with 249,000 passengers returning home.

"The surge in

passenger volume is great news for the airline industry. We look forward

to a very brisk holiday travel season," said DeCosta, who expects

the airport's federal screeners to be particularly busy during the

next few weeks.

Airport officials

and the Transportation Security Administration offered several tips this

week for passengers traveling during the next six weeks:

- For domestic

flights, arrive a minimum of 90 minutes before your scheduled departure

time.

- Carry photo

identification. The name on your ticket must match your ID.

- Wait until

you reach your destination to wrap presents. Wrapped gifts may be opened

and inspected in some cases.

- Pack all film

inside your carry-on bags, as checked baggage screening may damage film.

- In the event

of inclement weather, call your airline ahead of time to determine the

status of your flight.

- Remember to

remove all knives, scissors, corkscrews, and blades of any type or size

from your carry-on baggage. Such items should be packed with in your checked

baggage. These items are not permitted in the sterile area of the airport

or on board aircraft.

- Avoid wearing

clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. These items may

set off the alarm on the metal detector.

- Place identification

tags in and on all of your baggage.

- Carry-on baggage

is limited to one bag plus one personal item per passenger. Personal items

include a purse, briefcase, laptop computer or backpack.

- If you have

a medical condition that requires you to carry a needle or syringe on

your person or in your carry-on baggage, you must have the medication

that requires such injection on your person. The medication must be packaged

with a pharmaceutical label or professionally printed label identifying

the medication.

- Only ticketed

passengers are allowed past the security screening area. Persons wishing

to greet travelers should meet in the baggage claim area or in the airport

atrium area.

- Call ahead

to make advance arrangements with your airline if you require special

assistance, such as a wheelchair.

- For current

parking availability, use one of three options: Call 1-877-ATL-PARK, tune

in to Hartsfield-Jackson's parking radio network AM 830, or visit

www.atlanta-airport.com.

- Use the airport's

hourly parking when picking up or dropping off passengers. Unattended

vehicles parked at curbside will be ticketed and towed.

- Look for an

airport customer service representative wearing a teal green jacket to

answer any questions you may have.