Even under normal circumstances, flying out of Boston’s Logan International Airport can be a big headache for Rhode Islanders.
Air travelers from the Providence area usually have to weigh the inconveniences of getting to Logan against the advantages of often-cheaper fares and a greater number of direct flights compared to T.F. Green Airport.
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But in the wake of the September 11 terrorist hijackings of two Los Angeles-bound planes that left Logan and later crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York, flying out of Boston has become even more daunting.
While tighter security measures have been implemented at all U.S. airports – with more changes to come from a federally appointed commission assigned to study the issue – Logan likely will be the subject of intense scrutiny by security officials.
“The new procedures will require extra travel time, and most important, patience from Logan’s passengers,” says a travel advisory issued by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which manages Logan.
As of last week, check-in lines for domestic flights at Logan took an average of two to three hours, according to Sheila Carita, a travel agent at Cleveland Circle Travel in Boston.
Massport is advising travelers to arrive at least two hours early and to take public transportation to the airport, because parking now is “extremely limited” because of the recent closing for security reasons of the 3,000-car capacity Terminal B garage.
There are several ground-transportation options for getting to Logan. Passengers can call Massport’s airport-information hotline at (800) 23-LOGAN. The agency’s Web site, www.massport.com, also has links to several transportation services.
Providence-based Pearson Travel President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Sasso said many Rhode Islanders who fly out of Logan use the Logan Express shuttle service from Braintree. Roundtrip bus service from the park-and-ride stop near the I-93/I-95 junction off Route 37 on Forbes Road is $14. Parking rates are $7 a day.
Massport also suggests that passengers confirm their flight information with their airline before departing for Logan. “Don’t assume your flight is scheduled per your existing ticket,” the traveler’s advisory warns.
Several major airlines, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines and U.S. Airways, trimmed flight schedules following the hijackings and subsequent three-day grounding of all U.S. commercial flights.
Massport also is alerting passengers to a number of changes already implemented at Logan:
Curbside parking will not be allowed. Any unauthorized vehicle parked within 300 feet of a terminal will be towed. Pick-up and drop-off is discouraged.
Curbside check-in has been discontinued for domestic and international flights.
Proper identification is always required; a valid driver’s license or other identification for domestic flights; passport for international.
Arrive at Logan well in advance of your flight time: 120 minutes for both domestic and international flights.
Only ticketed passengers will be allowed through security checkpoints.
Knives of any type, regardless of blade length or composition, will not be allowed through security. This includes pocketknives, key chain knives and retractable blades.
Be aware of all behavior and comments while you are traveling through a high security area.
