Albany, New York (November 21, 2005) - - - The Albany International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are preparing for the annual crunch of holiday travelers. A survey of airlines serving the Airport found that nearly all will be operating at or near capacity beginning November 21st and continuing through the Thanksgiving weekend.

"The Thanksgiving travel period is traditionally one of the busiest family travel periods of the year and passengers should take time to be "security ready" when they arrive at the Airport," said Rev. Michael A. Farano, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority.

The TSA has increased its staffing levels at the security checkpoint during peak travel periods to accommodate the additional passenger volume. Albany's airlines are capable of seating over 6,000 daily passengers.

Passengers are being advised to arrive up to two hours prior to their scheduled flight times, especially for early morning flights (5:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) and afternoon flights (3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.). Travelers should allow adequate time to park, check luggage and pass through the security checkpoint.

Travelers are reminded FAA regulations permit passengers to carry only one piece of luggage and one personal item through the security checkpoint. A personal item may include a laptop computer, handbag, briefcase or backpack. Passengers with more than two items will be asked to return to their ticket counter to check their luggage.

The Transportation Security Administration has urged travelers to help minimize delays and make the security screening process as efficient as possible.

"TSA's security officers' primary focus is ensuring the security of the traveling public," said Paul Varville, Federal Security Director at Albany International Airport. "We're asking the traveling public to contribute to the effort and the Holiday Checklist is a great resource to use in planning your next trip."

The TSA advises passengers to take note of the following checklist which can assist in speeding the flow of passengers at security checkpoints:

• All passengers should remove outer coats and jackets for X-ray before proceeding through the metal detectors. That includes suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets and blazers. If a jacket or blazer is being worn as the innermost garment - not over a blouse or sweater, for example - it does not have to come off.


• When traveling with children, a discussion in advance of airport security may be helpful. At the checkpoint, children will need to temporarily part with such things as blankets and stuffed animals, and older children need to know that any comment suggesting a threat to an aircraft or its passengers is taken seriously by TSA security officers.


• To minimize the risk of damage or loss, don't pack fragile or valuable items in checked baggage. Take them with you in carry-on baggage, or ship them to your destination instead.


• Put undeveloped film in carry-on baggage because equipment used to screen checked baggage will damage film. High-speed and specialty film should not be put through X-ray machines, so passengers may ask security officers at the checkpoint to physically inspect film.


• Remember to put identification tags in and on all baggage including laptops.


• Everyone, even frequent fliers, should double check the contents of their pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage, to ensure no prohibited items were inadvertently packed.


• Don't over pack bags. If security officers have to open them, closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and may result in that checked bag being delayed until a later flight.


• If TSA security officers need to open a locked bag for inspection, they may have to break the lock. If you choose to lock your bag, we recommend using a TSA-approved lock, which has a locking system that enables security officers to open and relock the bag.

During the holiday period, passengers often travel with gift wrapped packages. Passengers are advised that such packages are subject to search and decorative wrapping may have to be removed. Travelers may want to consider wrapping their gifts after reaching their final destinations.

-30-