Holiday Weekend Off to an Early Start

The holiday rush began a week ago at Camping World in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Darrell Montoya, who sells propane at the RV service and supply center next to the Golden State Freeway, said Tuesday that he was selling up to 450 gallons a day, well above the usual 300.

“People leaving, people staying. They’re going to do the rotisserie or they’re deep-frying their turkey,” Montoya said. “Everybody’s getting ready to cook.”

By Montoya’s estimation, many in the camping crowd got an early start.

“I think the majority of RVers left Saturday,” he said. “A lot were headed for the beach.”

Whether their destination was the beach, mountains or across the country, residents throughout the Southland were preparing Tuesday for the long holiday weekend as airport workers, Highway Patrol officers and gas station attendants braced for long lines, heavy crowds and flaring tempers.

On Tuesday, Burbank Airport officials felt the first wave of holiday travelers. The number of passengers moving through was expected to increase by 25% on peak travel days.

Airlines were bracing for heavy activity today and Sunday, when the average daily number of passengers is expected to swell from 13,000 to 17,000, airport spokesman Victor Gill said. Another 3,000 people are expected to jam parking lots and gates as they meet and drop off passengers.

Passengers Urged to Arrive Early

To cope with the crowds, Gill reminded travelers to arrive at terminals at least one hour before domestic flights, travel light and keep photo identification cards handy. He also advised passengers not to make jokes that could be misconstrued as threatening, and to be cooperative with gate and flight attendants.

“At this time of year, we all need to be on our best behavior, especially when the situation is more crowded and tense than normal,” he said. “Don’t be an angry consumer who gets upset when something doesn’t work out.”

Near Van Nuys Airport, officials expected the parking lot for the FlyAway shuttle bus to LAX to be filled this morning. Drop-offs at the bus terminal, however, were still welcome, officials said.

While Caltrans officials anticipated snarls on highways leading to Burbank and Van Nuys airports, they also reported slowdowns along the Ventura Freeway between Reyes Adobe Road and the Ventura-Los Angeles County line from 9 a.m. to noon today.

“There could be an emergency situation that could cause lanes to be closed,” said Ivy Estrada, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. “But construction contractors usually stop work on Wednesday afternoon to allow for traffic to get through.”

The California Highway Patrol will beef up freeway patrols from 6 p.m. today through midnight Sunday, said Mike Brown, CHP Southern Division chief.

During the maximum enforcement period, every available officer will patrol freeways looking for impaired drivers, motorists without seat belts and children not buckled into safety seats.

Forty-three people died in traffic-related deaths statewide during the Thanksgiving weekend last year, Brown said. Another 1,433 were arrested for driving under the influence, including 331 in Los Angeles County, during the same period.

Southern California residents are expected to hit the roads in record numbers this weekend, even though they’re paying more at the pumps.

Fueled by job security and a solid economy, about 3 million residents will be traveling more than 100 miles from home and about 2.3 million of them will be driving, said Carol Thorp, spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

“That’s a 4% increase over last year, and this is despite the gas prices,” Thorp said.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Southern California is $1.77, compared to $1.36 last year, she said.

“Maybe if someone was thinking about driving cross-country, the cost of gas may be a deterrent, but apparently not for the shorter trips,” she said.

Among out-of-town getaways, Las Vegas tops the list of popular destinations this holiday weekend, followed by San Diego, Disneyland, Mammoth Mountain and Laughlin, Nev.

Traffic is expected to be heaviest in the afternoon and evening today and Sunday.

“We’re telling people to get on the road early,” Thorp said, adding that motorists should check the condition of their cars and be sure to take along safety equipment such as flashlights and jumper cables.

Hourly updates regarding road closures and weather conditions are available by calling Caltrans’ highway information line at (800) 427-7623.

Couple Planned to Beat Traffic

Back at the RV center, Jean and Daniel Darmody were on their way to Yucaipa in San Bernardino County from their home in Pacifica, a costal community south of San Francisco.

Having just traded up to their 31-foot Allegro Bay rig last weekend, the Darmodys were looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with family. They set out from home Monday night and planned to start back Saturday to beat the traffic.

“The last time we left on Wednesday and drove back Sunday, it was bumper-to-bumper all the way, and I vowed never to drive this holiday weekend again,” Jean Darmody said. “We actually had reservations to fly, but when we got this, we decided to go this way.”

The Darmodys outfitted their RV with such home comforts as a microwave oven, television, satellite dish, Sony Playstation II with DVD and a prominently placed sign that reads, “Now this is camping.”

And while filling the rig’s 100-gallon tank at more than $1.70 per gallon is no cheap trick, Daniel Darmody said that after factoring in the price of plane tickets, hotels and meals, the difference in cost isn’t all that much.

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Holiday Travel Tips

* Leave Early

Airport officials recommend that passengers arrive at terminals at least one hour before domestic flights and two hours before international flights.

* Check the Car

Check brakes, lights, fluid levels, drive-belts and tire pressure, including the spare.

* 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 good night’s sleep before getting on the road 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 Sunday night or Monday morning rush hours.

Source: Automobile Club of Southern California, the California Highway Patrol and airport officials.

Turkey Trot and Other Travels

Millions of Southern Californians are expected to leave town this weekend. National figures for air and road trips during four major holiday weekends:

*

Note: A trip is defined as leisure travel of 100 miles or more from home per person, anytime during the weekend.

Source: AAA