First sign the party’s over

How to get 40,000 people out of a city

The first sign this great party is winding down arrived under my hotel room door this morning—an envelope from the Vancouver International Airport with procedural advice for the 40,000 people expected to exit the city on March 1, the busiest day ever in the airport’s history. Here’s the rundown: Up to 5 hours before departure: check your flight online. Four hours before departure: arrive at the airport. Three hours before departure: check in bags and be at security. Two hours: pick up souvenirs at Olympic store! And one hour before departure? Be at your gate and relax!