Flying Burbank

On the eves of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, the gates of Burbank Airport are transformed into a frenetic Grand Central Station--California style. A logjam of double- and triple-parked cars clogs the terminal entrances, while, a line of honking cars snakes out of parking garages. ‘Tis the season for flaring tempers at the airport that serves about 5 million passengers. Tackling airport gridlock--in the parking lots and terminals--becomes the stuff of cold sweats and surly travelers.

But Burbank Airport officials say the holiday crunch can prove to be less of a nightmare if travelers know how to navigate their way around the airport’s two terminals, six airlines and 14 gates. There are several hundred daily departures to 14 cities from Burbank Airport.

GETTING AROUND

Terminal A

1) Sky captain

2) Hair Salon

3) Lounge

4) Restaurant

5) Gift Shop

6) QuickAid Kiosk

7) Alaska

8) America West

9) American

10) Southwest

11) SkyWest/Delta Commuter

****

Terminal B

1) Lounge

2) Gift Shop

3) Info. Kiosk

4) United

5) United/Alaska Boarding

6) United/Alaska Baggage claim

7) Car Rental booths

Alamo: (800) 327-9633

Avis:(800) 331-1212

Budget: (800) 527-0700

Hertz: (800) 654-3131

National: (800) CAR-RENT

GETTING CONNECTED

QUICK INFORMATION: at the airport a computer kiosk gives printouts with brief descriptions for everything from hotels and shuttle companies to eateries and airlines. You can also access the QuikAid information through the Internet at: https://www.quickaid.com/.

PARKING: The airport has five parking lots with a total of 4,000 spaces. Drivers have a choice of either short-term hourly, economy or valet parking. There are two entrances at the on-site hourly lot: one for automobiles and another for vehicles above 5 feet.

Valet: $16/day

Hourly: $1 for the first hour and $7 each additional hour, with a maximum daily rate of $24.

Economy: $8/day

****

MASS TRANSIT: Metrolink and Amtrak stop adjacent to the airport at 3750 Empire Ave.

Amtrak: Six daily trains (3 northbound and 3 southbound). Free airport shuttles take passengers from the train to the plane.

Metrolink: Commuter trains stop at the Amtrak station 12 times a day Monday through Friday.

Sources: Burbank Airport Authority

Researched by LUCILLE RENWICK / Los Angeles Times