San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comLindbergh Field to see 50,000 travelers this Thanksgiving weekend

Lindbergh Field to see 50,000 travelers this Thanksgiving weekend

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - About 50,000 airline passengers are expected pass through Lindbergh Field from Wednesday through Sunday for Thanksgiving 2009, according to airport officials.

Working alongside Transportation Security Administration employees, 15 seasonal workers will direct parents traveling with children, the elderly and disabled to the family lane, and seasoned travelers to the diamond lane.

Travel experts advise arriving early because those who miss their flight may have trouble getting another one, with airlines cutting back on their schedules. The number of flights out of San Diego has declined about 6 percent this year.

Flights are expected to be about 90 percent full.

Fliers should remember that carry-on liquids and jells must be in see-through containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces.

To reduce congestion around the terminals, drivers picking up passengers are advised to wait in the free "Cell Phone Lot' on North Harbor Drive.

Overnight construction to replace sewer and water lines on Harbor Drive near Grape Street will have Harbor Drive narrowed to one lane at times between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.

About 2.19 million Southern Californians expected to travel at least 50 miles over the Thanksgiving holiday. That represents an 8 percent increase from last year, according to the Automobile Club. A poll showed 85 percent will drive, rather than fly.

About 166,000 travelers will go by air, down one percent from last year, according to the Auto Club.

"People have less discretionary income to travel, and those who are traveling, they are counting their pennies," Auto Club spokeswoman Marie Montgomery said.

Gasoline prices around San Diego County are averaging around $2.90 per gallon -- up about 30 percent compared to last year at this time.