|
Sarasota Airports
Local airports include:
- Collier County Airport Authority, Marco Island, Fla.
- Everglades Airpark, Everglades City, Fla.
- Immokalee Regional Airport and Industrial Park, Immokalee, Fla.
- Marco Island Executive Airport, Naples, Fla.
- Miami International Airport, Miami
- Naples Airport Authority (Collier County Airport Authority), Naples
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (which services most major airlines), Sarasota, Fla.
- Sebring Regional Airport and Industrial Park, Sebring, Fla.
- St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Fla.
- Wing South Airpark, Naples
National airport ranking, by number of passengers enplaned
- No. 13 in United States (Miami International)
- No. 16 in United States (Orlando International)
- No. 30 in United States (Tampa International)
On-time flight arrivals
- 70.8% (Miami International)
- 67.9% (Orlando International)
- 64.7% (Tampa International)
On-time flight departures
- 74.2% (Miami International)
- 74.5% (Orlando International)
- 72.7% (Tampa International)
Average length of daily commute (one way):
- 16.8 minutes average each way (for Sarasota)
- 19.2 minutes average each way (for St. Petersburg)
- 19.2 minutes average each way (for Tampa)
- 18.8 minutes average each way (for Fort Myers)
- 18.8 minutes average each way (for Naples)
- 23.8 minutes average each way (for Miami)
AIRPORT INFORMATION FAA Advises Air Travelers on Airport, Airline Security Measures
The FAA issued the following tips to help air travelers meet and assist the heightened security measures implemented since the Sept. 11 attacks. Please note that air travelers are limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item on all flights.
Allow extra time
The heightened measures require more time to properly screen travelers. Travelers should contact their airline to find out how early they should arrive at the airport. Take public transportation to the airport if possible. Parking and curbside access is likely to be controlled and limited. Curbside check-in is available on an airline-by-airline basis. Travelers should contact their airline to see if it is in place at their airport.
Check In
A government-issued ID (federal, state, or local) is required. Travelers may be asked to show this ID at subsequent points, such as at the gate, along with their boarding passes. Automated check-in kiosks are no longer available. E-ticket travelers should check with their airline to make sure they have proper documentation. Written confirmation, such as a letter from the airline acknowledging the reservation, may be required.
Screener Checkpoints
Only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the screener checkpoints, except for those with specific medical or parental needs. Each traveler will be limited to one carry-on bag and one personal bag (i.e., purse or briefcase). All electronic items, such as laptops and cell phones, may be subjected to additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case so that both can be X-rayed separately. Limit metal objects worn on person. Travelers should remove all metal objects prior to passing through the metal detectors in order to facilitate the screening process.
Checked Luggage
The Transporation Security Administration (TSA) has been requiring that all suitcases be checked at the airport, unlocked. This not only adds to your risk of having things stolen, but also increases the risk of the suitcase accidentally opening. Now there are a range of special TSA approved locks. You can open them using your combination, and the TSA can open them using a special master key. TSA approved locks are available in the gift shop at SRQ, local AAA Auto Clubs, and select luggage sales outlets.
Prohibited Items
Beginning April 14, 2005, no lighters will be permitted beyond the security checkpoint. All lighters and matches are currently prohibited in checked baggage.
The following items must be placed in, or transported as, checked baggage or risk confiscation.
- Knives of any length, composition or description Cutting instruments of any kind and composition, including carpet knives and box cutters (and spare blades), any device with a folding or retractable blade, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and metal nail files.
- Corkscrews
- Baseball/softball bats
- Golf clubs
- Pool cues
- Ski poles
- Hockey sticks
- When in doubt, transport item in checked baggage
Permitted Items
Walking canes and umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed)
- Nail clippers
- Safety razors (including disposable razors)
- Syringes (with documented proof of medical need)
- Tweezers
- Eyelash curlers
At the Gate
Travelers must be prepared to present a valid photo identification card, along with their boarding pass.
- Travelers and their bags may be subjected to additional screening.
At all Times
Control all bags and personal items.
- Do not bring anything onboard for another person.
- Report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.
Summer Travelers Suggestions to Avoid Delays
When booking your flight:
- Fly early. The atmosphere needs time to heat up to produce the severe weather that tends to hit later in the day. Also, as the day gets later, delays can compound as weather fronts move.
- If you must take a connecting flight, weather may be factor at your connecting hub.
- Avoid flights that are chronically delayed. You can look up on-time performance by flight on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics web site: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/index.htm
- Confirm your reservation a day or two in advance to learn if your flight is overbooked.
- Find out your flight status in advance, either by calling, checking your airline's web site or enrolling in a travel alert service through an online travel or airline site.
- Check the FAA's web site, http://www.fly.faa.gov , to see how the weather is affecting your departure and arrival points.
- Give yourself plenty of time, accounting for traffic and security lines. Check http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov for the amount of time you can expect to wait in security lines.
- Check your pockets and your bags to make sure you're not carrying any prohibited items. Check http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorital-1254.xml for tips on how to get through security and for a list of what's allowed and what isn't allowed in checked and carryon bags.
- Be especially careful about lighters, which are now banned from checked and carryon baggage.
Send me information on Sarasota
|
