Holiday passengers advised to wisely time airport arrival

Travelers departing from Baltimore-Washington International Airport for Thanksgiving week trips are advised to check in no more than 90 minutes before their flights.

Passengers should pack any sharp objects in luggage that will be checked and are encouraged to use ground transportation services.

More than 648,000 people are expected to travel through BWI between this weekend and Dec. 1.

The airport will have 30,000 parking spaces available for the holidays - 5,000 more than last year.

Phase I of new garage offers 3,000 spaces

A new daily parking garage was scheduled to open at BWI yesterday.

The garage is next to the Sheraton International Hotel and is accessible from Elm Road.

The first phase of the nine-story garage will open up 3,000 parking spaces.

When completed next fall, the garage will have 8,400 spaces.

The garage will help triple the number of spaces at the airport and have BWI Smart Park, an automated system, to direct drivers to available spaces.

The parking rate is $2 an hour, with a maximum of $11 a day.

Airport seeking volunteers to help direct travelers

BWI is recruiting volunteers to serve as "BWI Pathfinders."

Pathfinders will answer questions and assist passengers in navigating the terminals and region.

Airport staffers also work at information desks and walk the terminal regularly.

To volunteer, call 410-859-7826.