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    • What to know if you’re traveling through the Palm Springs airport the week of Thanksgiving
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    What to know if you’re traveling through the Palm Springs airport the week of Thanksgiving

    Pabio Posted on

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    As Thanksgiving approaches, crowds of tourists and locals are expected to pass through Palm Springs International Airport.

    The airport says more than 34,000 departing passengers will be welcomed Tuesday through Sunday, with an average of 6,500 travelers each on peak days.

    Here are some travel tips to ensure a smooth flying experience, because while spending Thanksgiving with family members can be stressful, there’s no reason holiday travel should be the same.

    Get to PSP early

    Palm Springs residents may be accustomed to stopping by less than an hour before their flight is scheduled to depart.

    This may not be feasible during peak holiday travel season.

    Airport officials recommend travelers show up two hours before flights depart to check their bags, and say those traveling with carry-on luggage only should arrive 90 minutes earlier.

    The airport is busiest between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when around 3,000 passengers pass through security. Waiting times in such cases can reach 30 minutes.

    To accommodate the increase in travelers, the airport added a seventh screening lane.

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    Determine the best choice of PSP parking beforehand

    Open airport parking sports can sometimes be scarce, especially during busy travel weeks. The terminal’s main parking lot costs $20 per day and could fill up quickly this week.

    Live parking updates are available at flypsp.com/parking.

    An overflow lot on Kirk Douglas Way is available for overnight parking. Shuttle service to and from the terminal will operate from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Thanksgiving. The service will continue only for returning travelers from 8:30 a.m. until the last arrival from November 29 to December 3.

    Plan ahead if you plan to dine at the PSP

    While new dining options are quickly being added to the airport, the growing number of travelers means many of these locations will be full at peak times.

    The airport advises passengers to plan their meals in advance. To-go options will be available at stores and kiosks throughout the property.

    Other useful tips

    Register online. By checking in through an airline app, passengers can save time upon arrival at the airport.

    Each passenger can carry one quart bag of liquids, gels and aerosols with containers 3.4 ounces or less.

    If you plan to bring food back for Thanksgiving, it can be packed in a carry-on or checked bag as long as the items meet TSA rules for liquids. Seal items properly to prevent spills.

    Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Contact him at [email protected].

    Pabio
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