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Canine commode and other perks at SoCal's smaller airports
Therapy dogs and other pets have become more common in airports, like this one at San Francisco Airport. Hollywood Burbank Airport has added a new in-terminal pet relief station to save pet owners from having to leave secured areas.
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Canine commode and other perks at SoCal's smaller airports
Southern Californians intent on avoiding the 2.3 million passengers projected to jam LAX this Thanksgiving weekend will find some new perks at smaller airports.
Hollywood Burbank Airport has opened a new restroom in the passenger terminal for the growing population of service dogs, emotional-support dogs, therapy dogs, and other travelling pets.
Hidden from public view, the doggy loo is opposite gate A4.
"They are green signs with the image of a dog pointing to where the pet relief area is," said airport spokeswoman Racheal Warecki.
The pet relief area has artificial turf covering absorbent material on top of a metal base that can be rinsed often, she said.
Federal law requires pet relief stations inside areas past security checkpoints at airports that get 10,000 passengers or more per year. Los Angeles International Airport has several indoor and outdoor pet relief areas, but the indoor version is new for Burbank's flying dogs.
Also new at Burbank Airport is a new pickup area for passengers using riding hailing services like Uber and Lyft. Signs labeled "TNC" for "transportation network companies" direct passengers to an area near the short-term parking structure opposite the terminal. The airport has also added more curb space for passenger drop-offs, Warecki said.
Long Beach Airport has added an extra lane to ease traffic congestion in front of its historic terminal.
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Ontario International Airport is now under new management after the city of Ontario and San Bernardino County took it over from the city of Los Angeles. The first change in operations adds a pop-up coffee shop and newsstand in the downstairs baggage retrieval area. Also, parking lot 3, which is fairly close to the terminal, has been shifted from an employee-only lot to a passenger lot. The day rate is $13, which is lower than the $18 a day premium lots closest to the terminals. A remote lot charges $9 a day.
John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana just added a real-time parking app on its website, www.ocair.com. It's updated every five minutes to show how many spaces are open at the terminal and remote parking lots.
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