Tips for the holiday traveler.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure. Anticipate slowdowns caused by heavy traffic, crowded airport parking lots and busy ticket counters and security checkpoints.

What should I do to speed the lines at the airport?

• Refrain from bringing wrapped presents. Wrapped packages are not banned, but if the alarm sounds, the screeners will need to unwrap a present to investigate the source of the alarm.

• Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.

Once there, the Transportation Security Administration asks you to:

• Put metal in your carry-on bag. This includes jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers and personal data assistants.

• Take out your laptop computer. Place it in a bin, separate from its carrying case.

• Take off your outer coat. Place it in a bin. Suit jackets and blazers do not have to be removed unless requested by a screener.

What about parking?

Vehicle searches are being conducted at many airports. .

Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport expects to have plenty of convenient parking available in both the long-term and short-term parking lots throughout the holiday travel period.

What's the list of prohibited items for carry-on and checked luggage?

It's five pages long, but you can find it at www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_Prohibited_12_18_2003.pdf (note this file is in Acrobat PDF format).

I'm going to be carrying a lot of presents? How many carry-on items can I have?

Two - one piece of luggage or bag and one "personal" item such as a laptop or purse.