December 23, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

Mineta San Jose International Airport offers tips for jolly holiday travel

To help make the holiday travel rush as jolly as possible, Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is offering passengers tips on parking, security, arrival times and roadway changes.

Guaranteed parking
This holiday season, everyone who parks at the airport is guaranteed a space, either in the long-term lot on Martin Avenue or short-term parking, directly across from the terminals. On-airport parking rates are $15 per 24 hours in long-term and $1 per 20 minutes in short-term.

Streamlined security
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is continuously striving to improve the security processes to make travelers feel safe and secure. Passengers are experiencing shorter-than-expected wait times in security lines. To be prepared to help keep security lines moving, these tips are offered:

1. Have your boarding pass and a photo ID (driver’s license or passport) in hand.

2. Place coats and jackets in the tray.

3. Empty your pockets of all metal objects like keys, cell phones, change, watches and pens.

4. Don’t bring wrapped gifts; they may be unwrapped and inspected.

5. Checkpoint mailers are now available. These are self-service mailing facilities that allow travelers to forward items prohibited from entering the security checkpoint areas. Checkpoint Mailer kiosks are located prior to security checkpoints in both terminals. Payment is via cash or credit card.

Arrive early
With the Airport Improvement Program in progress, there are several roadway changes. Travelers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours prior to flight departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. When picking up guests, you can’t park curbside. But instead of circling in traffic, park in short-term parking and meet your guests inside the terminal. Call your air carrier before heading to the airport to confirm departure and arrival information.

In-terminal help & happenings
If you have a question, you’ll find Information Booths in both terminals, near baggage claim. The shops will have lots of last-minute gifts and candy samples. Through Dec. 25, some lucky travelers will have their food order pronounced “FREE.” And look for free coffee and bottled water stations on Dec. 23-24.

New entrance at Skyport Drive
Good news! There is a convenient new entrance from Route 87 at Skyport Drive. From Highway 880, Skyport Drive can be accessed from the First Street exit, then north to Skyport. Also some of the roadways on-site have changed. With Airport Improvements underway, the entrance from Coleman Avenue is now a narrow, single lane in each direction.

For more Airport information, visit www.sjc.org or call Airport Customer Service at (408) 501-0979. Motorists can also tune into 530 AM within two miles of SJC for current information on airport traffic, parking and security information.

City of San Jose holiday closures

San Jose City Hall will be closed for the holidays beginning Thursday, Dec. 23, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3. The Police and Fire departments, the Airport, Environmental Services, Building Inspections and other critical city services will continue to operate and will be unaffected by the closure.

Libraries: During the Christmas holiday, city branch libraries will be closed Dec. 23-26. The King Library will open on Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon only, and then remain closed through Dec. 26. All city libraries will resume regular hours on Dec. 27. For the New Year’s holiday, San Jose libraries will be closed Dec. 30 through Jan. 2. Regular schedules will resume at all city libraries beginning Jan. 3.

Building inspections: Building Inspections will be available as usual Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 20-22 as well as during the holiday closure, Dec. 27–29. Other building division facilities and functions will be unavailable during the holiday closure.

Community centers: During the holiday closure, community, youth and senior centers will reduce their hours of operation, but will continue to hold their regularly scheduled programs. Most centers will be closed Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Senior centers will continue their regularly scheduled nutrition programs except on Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Residents should check with their local community center for hours of operation during the holidays.

Street sweeping: Street sweeping schedules will be unchanged due to the holidays. Please remember to move your vehicles off the street on scheduled sweep days.

Garbage collection: There will be no changes to collection days for garbage, recycling, or yard trimmings. This year, Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on Saturday and drivers will work on Fridays and Mondays. Due to larger volumes of materials this season, trucks may come by much later than usual. However, if it appears that collection has occurred elsewhere on your street and your carts were missed, call your hauler Norcal,(408) 576-0057, or GreenTeam, (408) 283-8500. If you’re not sure of your hauler, check the first two letters of the serial number stamped on the side of your recycling cart. NC is Norcal and GT is GreenTeam.

Christmas tree recycling and yard trimmings: Natural and flocked trees will be collected at curbside from Dec. 27 to Feb. 4 on the same day as garbage, recycling and yard trimmings. You don’t need to attach an “Extra Garbage” sticker, but you do need to remove tinsel, decorations and the tree stand. Cut trees into 5-foot lengths and place them in the street about a foot from the curb.

Garbage bills or new accounts: If you have billing questions or need to transfer or begin a new garbage service account, call the city’s Recycle Plus Customer Service office at (408) 277-2700. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the holiday closure, except Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 30-31.

For more information about City services and programs during the holiday closure, call the city’s customer service call center at (408) 277-4000.