Ya jest cain’t miss th’ big galoot! He’s right thar, all nine feet of ‘im. He seems to be walkin’ in that familiar stride, ready to take on any cattle-rustlin’ varmints foolish enough to get in his way!

One of the most popular in Southern California, John Wayne Airport served eight million passengers last year, with expectations of even more this year. Greeting those arriving for flights from his post just outside the baggage checking area is the imposing statue of the famous Western star himself. 

Among the airlines serving John Wayne are Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, United and US Airways. Flights are to many destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A wide range of bus, limo, shuttle, taxi and other transportation services are available at the airport.

Convenient for vacationers and other travelers, John Wayne Airport is 14 miles from Disneyland and 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is also just seven miles from Newport Beach (where Wayne spent his final years), 13 miles from Laguna Beach and 17 miles from Long Beach.

An hour or so away, if freeway traffic is not drive time, and on the San Fernando Valley side of Los Angeles, is the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. But that’s a whole ‘nother movie star story.

For schedules and other information about John Wayne Airport, go to www.ocair.com

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano reported that government budget tightenings are already presenting problems in the air travel industry. It’s because of possible orders to reduce TSA staffing and overtime, as well as hiring freezes. She says they’re starting to cause delays in some of the busiest U.S.  airports.

At the same time, many major airport authorities are denying the claim, and say all is going as normal. That is, if you consider long departure waits and late arrivals as normal. Of course, the so-called sequester plan to reduce spending throughout the federal system hasn’t yet hit with full force. When it does, and if it requires severe personnel cuts, TSA will have to do some belt-tightening.

Therefore, if you anticipate travel by air in the coming months, when flight day approaches be sure to keep in close touch with your travel agency, airline and local airport. If government cutbacks affect your plans, prepare alternative ways to get to your destination and back home again.

If your spring and summer plans include long road trips, Google Maps and AARP have put their tech tetes together to help make your journeys more economical and enjoyable.

According to USA Today, they’ve eliminated the need for lugging along with you stacks of road maps, info books, discount brochures and other bothersome paperwork. With the new Google/AARP map tool, every bit of thousands of items about travel info is available immediately with just a click on your iPhone or similar electronic device.

You’re now able to plan ahead for the most favorable routes, rest stops, restaurants, shopping, hotels and thousands of other bits of useful travel information. Even better, it allows you to check prices, take advantage of discounts and maintain a sensible budget throughout your road trips.

In order to take advantage of the new service, you must be a signed-up member of AARP. For more information, go to discounts.aarp.org

Travel editor adds another face to a vintage Native American totem pole.