Travelers Today Expected to Jam Transit Corridors

With a little patience and preparation, you can get there from here.

That’s what transportation experts are telling the tens of thousands of travelers expected to jam airports, train stations, bus depots and freeways today, the start of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The mad dash to get out of town on the busiest travel day of the year will be further complicated by a storm expected to bring heavy rain to Southern California, as well as snow at higher elevations today through Thursday morning, forecasters predict.

“Allow yourself enough time to travel,” said Jeffrey Spring, an Automobile Club of Southern California spokesman. “You don’t want to be a victim of an accident because you are rushing, or a victim of road rage because you are tailgating the car in front of you.”

Whether passengers are heading to the airport or driving to their destinations, Spring said, they should exercise special precautions because of the weather.

The Auto Club recommends drivers plan their travel routes in advance, travel during off-peak hours and make sure their car’s brakes, lights and windshield wipers are working properly, Spring said.

Burbank Airport officials are expecting 20,000 travelers today, nearly double the average number of passengers, said Sean McCarthy, an airport spokesman.

Air travelers are being encouraged to park in two remote lots near Hollywood Way and Winona Avenue, at $10 a day. They also are urged to arrive at the terminal early, carry photo identification and listen for parking and traffic updates on AM 530, McCarthy said.

To avoid traffic on the way to Los Angeles International Airport, airline travelers can park at Van Nuys Airport and hop the FlyAway shuttle. About 2,000 parking spaces are available at the FlyAway lot at Woodley Avenue and Saticoy Street, but they fill early.

The shuttle bus makes 98 round-trips to and from LAX daily. Parking is $1 a day and round-trip shuttle fares are $6 for adults and $3.50 for children.

LAX officials are bracing for gridlock as more than 160,000 passengers are expected to move through the airline terminals today, said Scott Read, an LAX spokesman.

At LAX, travelers can park in a long-term lot ($16 a day) or a remote lot ($7 a day). “Normally, 60,000 vehicles circulate into the central terminal area,” Read said. “It will be far busier today, so don’t think you can pull up to the curb to wait for passengers.”

To cope with the holiday crush, passengers should call airlines before leaving home to make sure flights are on time “so people can adjust their schedules and not be faced with a big headache,” Read said.

Air travelers should also get to the airport three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight, Read advised.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will help travelers get out of town by providing service to LAX and Union Station for Amtrak connections.

The California Highway Patrol anticipates snarls on roads leading to LAX, Burbank and Ontario airports, as well as most of the Golden State Freeway in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

CHP officers will step up freeway patrols, looking for drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, stranded motorists and people not wearing seat belts, said Edward Gomez, CHP southern division chief.

During the 1996 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Gomez said, 63 people died on state roadways, including 11 from Los Angeles County. Of the 1,513 people arrested statewide in 1996 for driving under the influence during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 338 were county residents.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for getting together with family and friends,” Gomez said. “During that weekend we will show how much we care by mounting an extra traffic safety effort to ensure that a traffic mishap does not spoil your holiday.”

Times staff writer Jill Leovy and correspondent Jon Steinman contributed to this story.

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Holiday Travel Tips

* Leave Early

Airport officials recommend that air passengers get to the airport at least two hours before their flight departs.

* Check the Car

Check brakes, lights and windshield wipers before the rain and snow expected to move across the Southland today and Thursday.

* Select a Designated Driver

The California Highway Patrol will step up enforcement of all traffic laws, especially those pertaining to driving under the influence.

* Pull Over When Tired

Get a normal night’s sleep the night before you leave, and pull over at the onset of drowsiness.

* Drive During Off-Peak Hours

This afternoon will see the heaviest traffic on area roads. If possible, leave this morning or Thursday morning. Make the return trip before the Sunday afternoon rush hours or Monday morning.