2008 Indy 500 weekend at the airport

INDIANAPOLIS—All systems are go at Indianapolis International Airport for this year’s Indianapolis 500 race. Officials from the airport, airlines, and TSA are coordinating their operations to manage the annual influx of visitors over the holiday weekend, which marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season.

Arrivals will be heavy beginning Friday through Saturday morning. Memorial Day will be the busiest for departures, with more than 17,000 travelers projected to leave the city. Current TSA estimates also indicate heavier than normal departure volumes for Tuesday, May 27.

After Thanksgiving, Memorial Day is the airport’s busiest holiday weekend. Additional staff are added across all operational areas, including parking, ground transportation, ticket counters, curbside check-in, security screening, law enforcement and public safety, terminal services, retail and food vendors, fire and rescue, and maintenance.

To avoid time-consuming airport “pit stops” this weekend, please keep the following suggestions in mind.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

In case of storms or severe weather, travelers are advised to check with their airline to determine if flights are on schedule before traveling to the airport. In addition, passengers are advised to:

• Arrive at least 90 minutes early. Allow ample time for arrival, parking, and clearing security. Expect delays.

• Utilize curbside check-in. Avoid lines at airline ticket counters by using curbside check-in.

• Pack wisely. Don’t pack fragile or valuable items in checked luggage. Keep all medications with you in your carry-on luggage.

• Remember the 3-1-1 rule. Liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on bags must be in three-ounce or smaller containers placed in a one-quart clear plastic zip-top bag; each passenger is allowed one plastic bag. Before going through the security checkpoint, remove the plastic bag from your carry-on and put it in the bin for screening.

• Choose appropriate footwear. To get through security quickly, wear slip-on shoes that are easily removed.

Visit TSA’s Web site for detailed information about permitted and prohibited items on board planes in checked and carry-on luggage.

ROADWAY TRAFFIC IN AND AROUND AIRPORT

Vehicular traffic around the airport will be heavy, especially on Sunday after the race ends as fans are transported back to the terminal and their parking areas.

Airport Police Department (APD) officers will be posted at major intersections in front of the terminal and intersections including High School Road & Airport Expressway and High School Road & Terminal Drive (north and south splits).

During peak periods on Sunday and Monday, traffic diversion routes could be implemented. In this event, all buses, vans, limousines, and taxis will be permitted to proceed northbound on High School Road past the expressway. Other personal and commercial traffic will be routed eastbound onto Airport Expressway and I-465 All drivers should pay attention to roadway signage and follow routes as directed.

INDY GO SHUTTLES FROM AIRPORT TO TRACK

Let IndyGo do the driving! Continuous IndyGo service to and from the airport to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will start at 9 a.m. Shuttles will run for three hours after the official end of the race.

Shuttles will depart from the lower level terminal drive and from the International Arrivals Building (IAB) at Banner Avenue and Pierson Drive. IndyGo ticket booths will be in both locations and will open for sales at 8 a.m. Pre-bookings indicate twice as many IndyGo riders as last year, so riders are advised to obtain tickets as early as possible.

Parking in the IAB surface lot and grassy area is $10 and will open at 7 a.m. on race day. Parking is not included in IndyGo’s $15 race day shuttle tickets.