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CNN Live At Daybreak
Tips to Fly By
Aired November 26, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: If you're flying somewhere today, you already know you'll see longer than normal lines at security checkpoints. But there are ways to make your wait shorter.
Here's CNN's Elaine Quijano with tips to fly by.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And estimated 4.6 million people will fly this Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA, up from last year. But there will be thousands fewer federal screeners on the job because of cutbacks ordered by Congress. The Transportation Security Administration is telling travelers to expect even longer waits than usual.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obviously, it's going to be a strain on the workforce as well as potential for additional delays with the public if we do not work together to move people through.
QUIJANO: To meet the challenge at airport security checkpoints, roughly 51,000 full and part-time TSA workers won't get Thanksgiving off. They'll be required to work overtime and the TSA says it's coordinating with the airlines so screeners' schedules match up with peak travel hours.
But to keep things moving quickly, TSA officials say they need the public's help, also. And some travelers say they already know what works for them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Arrive on time so that you're not stressed and when you're packing, don't bring your steamer trunk.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't have any electronics packed. We took all our knives and whatever off of our key chain, all of our handy gadgets. And we're ready to go.
QUIJANO (on camera): Just how much time can you save at the checkpoints? TSA screeners estimate that if you set off the Magnetometer and have to get a second check, that'll tack on an extra three minutes. Multiply that by just 10 people and if you're at the end of the line, you're waiting an extra 30 minutes.
(voice-over): To help avoid that, screeners advise leaving most things in your checked bag or in your carry-on and dressing down for the flight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sweat suits and sneakers are the best travel gear to come through the checkpoint. That way you don't have to take off anything. Most sweats don't have pockets. You want to make sure you get -- you wear light jewelry. A watch or a wedding band is fine.
QUIJANO: Advice they hope will help get you home for the holidays on time.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 26, 2003 - 05:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: If you're flying somewhere today, you already know you'll see longer than normal lines at security checkpoints. But there are ways to make your wait shorter.
Here's CNN's Elaine Quijano with tips to fly by.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And estimated 4.6 million people will fly this Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA, up from last year. But there will be thousands fewer federal screeners on the job because of cutbacks ordered by Congress. The Transportation Security Administration is telling travelers to expect even longer waits than usual.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obviously, it's going to be a strain on the workforce as well as potential for additional delays with the public if we do not work together to move people through.
QUIJANO: To meet the challenge at airport security checkpoints, roughly 51,000 full and part-time TSA workers won't get Thanksgiving off. They'll be required to work overtime and the TSA says it's coordinating with the airlines so screeners' schedules match up with peak travel hours.
But to keep things moving quickly, TSA officials say they need the public's help, also. And some travelers say they already know what works for them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Arrive on time so that you're not stressed and when you're packing, don't bring your steamer trunk.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't have any electronics packed. We took all our knives and whatever off of our key chain, all of our handy gadgets. And we're ready to go.
QUIJANO (on camera): Just how much time can you save at the checkpoints? TSA screeners estimate that if you set off the Magnetometer and have to get a second check, that'll tack on an extra three minutes. Multiply that by just 10 people and if you're at the end of the line, you're waiting an extra 30 minutes.
(voice-over): To help avoid that, screeners advise leaving most things in your checked bag or in your carry-on and dressing down for the flight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sweat suits and sneakers are the best travel gear to come through the checkpoint. That way you don't have to take off anything. Most sweats don't have pockets. You want to make sure you get -- you wear light jewelry. A watch or a wedding band is fine.
QUIJANO: Advice they hope will help get you home for the holidays on time.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
