This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
To many school children and parents, the upcoming "UEA weekend" means "Utah Escapes to Anaheim" or "Utahns Explore Away" — rather than a name for the Utah Education Association's annual convention that creates a school vacation.
So Salt Lake City International Airport officials are urging travelers to arrive two hours early for flights from Thursday through Monday for what has become one of its biggest travel periods every year. It says more than 20,000 people travel through the airport daily during the UEA weekend.
The airport says that with big crowds, two hours may be needed to park, check luggage, pass through security and travel to gates in time for boarding.
The airport also urges passengers to print boarding passes in advance, check the status of flights before arriving at the airport, and to pack a light bag to speed inspections and travel.
Additional staff have been assigned in the long-term economy parking lot to guide drivers to empty spots.
The airport also reminds passengers of the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 rule for carry-on bags: no more than three ounces of a liquid or gel in a container, containers must fit in one quart-sized bag, and only one bag is allowed per passenger.
Airport officials also remind the public that the pick-up and drop-off lane inside the parking garage has been permanently closed because of new terminal construction. However, pick-up and drop off is still available at regular curbsides.
— Lee Davidson