Travelers advised to arrive to airport early

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ticket counters and TSA lines at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have been busy Friday as Christmas approaches.

TSA advises that travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flights.

[Estimated 4.2 million motorists to hit the road over holidays, AAA says]

The Huck family drove from Fort Bragg to the airport, arriving with plenty of time to get their tickets to Phoenix, check in their bags and get through security.

It only took the family of three 18 minutes after they parked, in part because they had TSA Precheck access at the TSA security line.

For those who are planning on parking or picking someone up from the airport, officials advise to give themselves plenty of time for that as well.

The airport is expecting an additional 30,000 people Friday, in addition to its normal 100,000 travelers.

[2017 Christmas shipping deadlines for Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, UPS and more]

"Construction outside of the airport could affect motorists driving to and from the area. The construction, that definitely added it to it,” traveler Christy Ruszala said. “Not the best time of the year to do (it), but you got to do (it). It has to be done.”

The airport is encouraging people to use the hourly deck for pick up and drop off -- because the first hour is free -- and to avoid the congestion.

[LINK: Parking information at Charlotte Douglas]

In addition, the cellphone lot has moved next to long-term parking lot 1 on Josh Birmingham Parkway.

[PAST COVERAGE: Airport to relocate cellphone lot]

Charlotte Douglas officials prepared for busy holiday travel weekend

Officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are gearing up for another big week of travel, with huge crowds expected around the Christmas holiday.

Officials told Channel 9 they are preparing for 10,000 more people in comparison to a typical day that doesn't include layover flights.

Getting to the airport by car was smooth Tuesday and security lines were normal, but officials said they expect the number of travelers to surge Thursday and Friday, as well as the day after Christmas.

Officials said they anticipate 29,530 passengers on Thursday, compared to 28,391 last year, and 30,161 on Friday, compared to 27,681 last year. The day after Christmas, officials said, they expect 28,200 passengers, down from 28,388 last year.

John Deal, a father traveling with his family of six, told Channel 9 that the best strategy for holiday travel is to be prepared.

“We have everything together,” Deal said. “We have all our passports stacked up and all our boarding passes stacked up, and everything is ready to go. There won't be any holdups, hopefully."

Officials believe the bigger headaches could be navigating through the construction outside of the airport.

There are $2.5 billion in upgrades underway for a new terminal that officials said could be open by next holiday season, and a joint operations center where TSA, CMPD and Homeland Security will work.

CMPD Capt. Gregg Collins said travelers should take their time.

"You don't want to start your Christmas vacation with (a) car crash out here and two hours later you're trying to get through security,” Collins said.

The airport will have signs for holiday travel directing drivers. There will be more officers directing traffic and more airport shuttles.

"We thought we were going to be lined up all the way outside the building,” Deal said. “It's moving along pretty good."

Airport officials are encouraging people dropping off and picking up passengers to use the hourly parking deck. The first hour is free.

TSA reminds passengers to not wrap gifts if bringing them as a carry-on item. Officials said to either place the gift in checked luggage or wrap it after you reach your final destination.

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