There is no easy way to travel during the holiday season. Security scans, pat downs and an increase in travelers, equals long lines and flaring tempers. If you have travel plans this season, remember there are a lot of people to process through the airports and getting frustrated or losing your temper is not a good way to start a trip.
Here are some tips to help you keep your wits about you in the midst of all the chaos.
Check in online (or with your smartphones) – Often times you cannot check in until 24 hours before hand, and if the airline is really difficult, that is the only time you can also get your seat assignments. On occasion you will find that you did book your seats months in advance, only to find that there is a last minute equipment change (different sized plane,) leaving you with nothing or random seats apart from others traveling with you. Checking in ahead of time not only ensures you have a seat, but you can also check the flight time for any changes, print your boarding pass, and some airlines will even let you prepay any baggage fees, so you do not have to deal with payment and lines at the airport. It’s not a bad idea to call or check flight status right before you leave for the airport to make sure there are no last minute changes or delays.
Minimize – You will want to pack light. If you don’t it will cost you. Airlines are charging big bucks for extra or over weight bags. You will also find getting through the screening process with extra bags is a big hassle. Make sure you pack clothes that you can mix and match and avoid over packing. Clothes with lighter material that you can layer are the best way to pack. If you are headed into cold weather, carry your jacket on your arm and place in overhead bins on the plane. You also want to keep in mind that any gifts you are bringing cannot be wrapped if they are on your carry on. Size up your carry-on bag to ensure it fits our requirements (22″ x 14″ x 9″ with wheels and handles), and review checked baggage rules and fee information for the particular airlines you are flying on. ** Take notice – some airlines even charge for carryon luggage now.
Carry on contents – With so many travelers and delays, your carry on is your best friend during travel. Make sure you have a change of clothes in case someone spills something on you (don’t forget the guy who peed on another passenger,) or your bags get lost or delayed. For this reason it is also a good idea to include any medications that you need along with some sundries (toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.) to get you through a day or two. Make sure you the sundries are limited to 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels, and that you put them in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag before you leave home. Keep the zip-top bag at the top of your bag. Have you phone, iPad, iPod or any other electronics easily accessible to take out and put in trays for security as well.
Simplify – You already know the screening process is the longest part of the airport experience. Being prepared before the line can save you and others time. Have your ID and boarding pass easily accessible. As great as accessories are, they should be packed and not worn, they are just more items you have to remove during screening. Remove your coat, jacket, or sweater before entering the security line and drape them on your shoulders if you are cold. Make sure you also empty your pockets of loose change, keys and any other metal items into your carry-on bag before you get in line. Slip on shoes are the easiest since you will have to remove them for screening. Your coat and shoes should go in one bin. If traveling with a computer, it must go in its own bin thru the x-ray.
Extra time – because of the new screening, experts are suggesting arriving at the airport at least 90 minutes early, 2 full hours is better, particularly on busy travel days. There is nothing worse that dealing with crowds while under pressure to make your flight. Don’t put yourself in that position.
Eat – If you are irritable when you are hungry, don’t wait to eat on the plane. You are lucky on a 4 hour flight these days if you get a bag of chips and a drink. Grab a bite to eat before you head out for the airport and have a granola bar or other sealed snack in your carry on.
Avoid Stress: I know that is easier said than done, particularly when flying as the word “airport” alone is an emotional trigger for many of us. Accept what you cannot change. We can’t avoid TSA, so just be as prepared as you can be so when it’s your turn, it goes quickly. Avoid a potential problem. If a 50 minute lay over feels like you are cutting it too close, don’t book the flight. Flights are often delayed by mother nature and a number of other factors, so don’t book a short layover and later be disappointed when you miss your connecting flight. It would be much worse to miss your flight home altogether, and be stuck at an airport alone over the holidays, than getting there a bit later. Buy travel insurance. Discuss options with your travel agent, as some policies do offer coverage for trip delays including those caused by weather, where others only cover cancellation for medical reasons. If for some reason you were unable to get a seat assigned during the purchase or check in process, get to the airport 2 1/2 hours early. I know that’s a lot for a domestic flight, but there is a chance the flight is oversold and you could be “bumped,” so it’s worth sitting around the airport extra time in order to ensure you have a seat. Most airport restaurants have free Wifi, so just grab a table and a beverage to pass the time, and you will be boarding your flight before you know it. I know we have all made fun of ribbons and strings on suitcases, but it’s no laughing matter. If you have a black, grey or blue suitcase, by all means put something that makes it easily recognizeable. We use inexpensive, bright orange colored luggage tags.
Pack your patience. There can and usually will be unexpected delays. On a recent flight, my husband and I landed in Miami, looked at our clocks and figured we would be on the road in about 30 to 45 minutes, for our hour long drive home. The computers in Customs went down and had to be reset twice. It took us an hour just to get through customs and we were 4th in line. I have no idea how long it took those at the back of the long line. So we are home free now right? That would be too easy. We took so long, that all of the luggage from our flight had been taken off of the carousels and piled up against the walls to the right of the carousel. As you can imagine, a crowded baggage area, and lots of people digging through a pile of several hundred suitcases, made it quite the challenge to find our bags. So an hour and 50 minutes later we were finally walking to the parking garage. It’s all part of the experience, and we can all agree that in the end it is worth it. Whether its time with family and friends, or exploring new destinations, travel brings joy, even through the cloud of frustrations.
