Q&A with Kent Green

Published: December 21, 2007

Q: How is Southwest Airlines, the airport's largest carrier, preparing for holiday travel?

A: Southwest Airlines is scheduling extra staff for our busiest days, which will most likely be Thursday through the weekend. As we get closer to peak travel times, we will also evaluate the need to open our ticket counter earlier. My counterparts at other airlines at Will Rogers report that they are doing similar things.

Q: What will be the busiest travel days?

A: It's going to be a very busy weekend at Will Rogers World Airport, and that pace will continue through to the following weekend because of bowl games. The Sooners and the Cowboys both are participating in bowl games this year, so we expect to see a large number of charter flights.

Q: How does this year's travel numbers compare to 2006?

A: The load factor is about the same, but we have added more flights since last year, so our numbers are higher. All in all, it's been a busy year at Will Rogers not only for airlines but for parking operations.

Q: Are there any tips or reminders travelers need to be aware of while traveling during the Christmas season?

A: The most important thing passengers need to remember is to bring the proper ID. They also need to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to park and process through the ticket counters and security checkpoints. We strongly suggest passengers be inside the terminal 90 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. They also need to make sure their bags are checked to their final destinations.

During this time of year, we surprisingly see quite a few passengers entering the security checkpoints with food items including the notorious fruitcake, grandma's gravy and food-related gift items like wine. There is some information on the airport's Web site, www.flyokc.com from our colleagues at the Transportation Security Administration about food you and can and can't bring through the checkpoint. I encourage passengers traveling with food items to check it out.

Business Writer Ja'Rena Lunsford

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