So long, South By! Lines form at ABIA

AUSTIN (KXAN) - On Monday morning, hundreds of travelers made their way through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to head home after a week full of South By Southwest festivities.
 
“Well, mornings are always are busiest time here at the airport and peak travel time and only bigger today with SXSW crowds leaving and so many other events going on in Austin,” said Jason Zielinski, a spokesman for ABIA.
 
Around 6 a.m., security lines were out the door as people got ready to fly home.
 
This is the first SXSW that ABIA has added a fourth security check point.  The airport says just adding four more lanes to help relieve long lines as thousands of people rushed the airport all at once to head home.
 
Airport officials said last year people had to wait more than an hour to be screened.  On Monday, it was about 35 minutes. The fourth checkpoint is only temporary and operates during peak traveling times.  It's on the east side of the airport which increases the airport's screening lanes from 11 to 15.
 
“This could be a record March for us,” Zielinski said. Passengers have swarmed the airport as all the different events such as spring break, SXSW, the rodeo and basketball tournaments wrap up.
 
Some travelers forgot about the influx of visitors going home on Monday.  One Austin man said he was headed out on a business trip and it didn’t’ click until he got to the airport why it was so crowded.
 
"You should think about what's going on before you come to the airport and making plans I'll know better next time,” said Derrick Harris.
 
A woman from LA heading back after attending SXSW said she didn’t bother getting sleep and enjoyed the music festival to the very last minute.
 
"That's why I stayed up all night that's because I can take the early flight but that's what's up,” said Liza Baskin
 
ABIA recommends that people arrive two hours early.  It also suggest that people pack efficiently and also to check with their airlines for any flight changes or delays.
 
If people are sitting around and have SXSW withdrawals, there will be live music between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
 
Monday is the final day of the 14th annual SXSW showcase at the airport.