Holiday Travel Ready for Smooth Take-off at Oakland International Airport

‘Park Free’ promotion returns; airport shops and restaurants open 

Oakland, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2012)—The busy holiday travel season is now upon us and Oakland International Airport (OAK) is ready to provide passengers with a smooth start to their celebrations. Travelers between now and the end of the year should expect full flights and busy airport terminals, but the OAK team will be hard at work to provide a positive holiday travel experience to customers.

“We always look forward to this time of year when OAK’s baggage claim becomes the site of so many happy reunions, and we have the opportunity to send-off Bay Area travelers headed to visit loved ones around the world,” said Port of Oakland Aviation Director Deborah Ale Flint. “To join in the celebration, OAK is pleased to re-introduce our popular ‘Fly Oak. Park Free.’ program as our way of saying thanks for flying Oakland.”

FLY OAK. PARK FREE.
Known for on-time departures, OAK also offers travelers convenient onsite parking options that are just steps from both passenger terminals. This holiday season, OAK will again offer additional value in the form of up to three days of free parking in the Daily Lot -- a $66 value -- for passengers departing Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday starting on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, through December 19. To take advantage of this special offer, travelers must visit oaklandairport.com/parkfree to register and receive easy fulfillment instructions.

Customers traveling outside of the “FLY OAK. PARK FREE.” promotion dates can take advantage of other discounted online parking offers, including $4 off each day in the Economy lot (long-term) and $8 off per day in the Premium, Hourly or Daily lots (short-term) over the holiday. Visit oaklandairport.com/parking for details.

OAKLANDISH IS BACK.
For travelers in need of last-minute gifts, Oaklandish is back again with its festive season pop-up store in Terminal 2 between Gates 25 and 26. Oaklandish offers apparel and merchandise celebrating “Local Love and Original Oakland Charm.” Annually, no less than 10 percent of all sales have gone toward the Oakland Innovators Award--a grant program supporting trailblazing community groups and a diverse array of grassroots projects. To plan your gift giving in advance, visit Oaklandish.com.

THE BEST WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
OAK and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) jointly operate a dedicated, full-accessible shuttle service between the Airport and the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART station every 10 minutes.

It takes 30 minutes or less to reach downtown San Francisco. The AirBART shuttle fare is just $3.00 each-way for adults and $1.00 for children (ages 11 and under), seniors (65 and over) and persons with disabilities (with ID). You’ll find easy-to-use AirBART ticket vending machines -- which accept all major debit and credit cards -- at shuttle stops on OAK’s third curbside and at Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART Station. For BART/AirBART information, call 510-569-8310.

Of course, other ground transportation alternatives include AC Transit, regional shuttles, taxis and limousines. Visit 511.org for personalized travel planning services.

MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE.
To ease the holiday travel process, OAK recommends travelers plan ahead to avoid any unwelcome surprises at the airport.

• Check flight status before heading to the airport.  While you’re at it, save time at the airport and check-in online, too, by visiting your airline’s website (or oaklandairport.com). Be sure to confirm your flight times and details, too, since airline flight schedules change frequently and it is possible that your itinerary has changed since you made the reservation.
• Arrive early. Plan to arrive 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure time for domestic flights and two hours prior for international departures and flights to Hawaii to allow for increased passenger volume at airline check-in and security screening.
• Keep your boarding pass and ID handy.  Only passengers with a same-day boarding pass will be allowed through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening checkpoints.  Passengers 18 years of age and older should be prepared to present a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) at the checkpoints and ticket counters.  Special arrangements for passenger assistance can be made through your airline—contact your carrier directly for more information.
• Do not wrap gifts. If a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) needs to inspect a wrapped gift in your checked or carry-on luggage, they may have to unwrap it.  So, plan to wrap gifts after arriving at your destination—or better yet, ship them ahead.
• Pack extra patience. As we welcome more travelers and more occasional flyers, expect an increase in the amount of time that it takes to move through parking lots, airline check-in, and TSA passenger screening.
• Be safe, happy and healthy.  On behalf of the Port of Oakland family, we wish you and yours a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com