10 Simple Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel
Flying over the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. A little preparation—and paying attention to the details—can help make your trip as easy as pie.
It could have been worse, I thought, as we taxied down the snowy runway at Boston’s Logan Airport. My flight home had been delayed twice by a winter nor’easter—first overnight and then again by a few hours in the morning. But I wasn’t nearly as cranky as some of my fellow travellers, who gave the impression they’d rather be at the mall exchanging gifts on the day after Christmas.By contrast, I was relaxed and ready to settle in for my cross-country flight. Why did such a compromised trip turn out to be so stress-free? Follow these 10 tips and you too can be ready to face the unpredictable challenges of travelling during the holiday season.
1. Pack for the new security rules
Ignore the latest TSA requirements at your peril: Not only could you lose precious time as you scramble to make your plane, but you could also be forced to pitch your favourite perfume or that expensive bottle of wine.
The revised rules are fairly straightforward: You’re allowed to carry liquid, gel or aerosol products through security in containers of 3 ounces or less, provided these items can fit in a clear-plastic quart-sized zip-top bag. Got those details? Three ounces and one quart-sized bag. If you want to bring your liquid, gel or aerosol items in larger quantities, you have to put them in your checked luggage—or buy those products after you’ve passed through security. There are a few exceptions that can be carried in larger amounts, such as prescription medications and baby formula, so be sure to check the TSA Web site for complete details.
Also, you’re now required to take off your shoes as well as remove laptops from your bag. As you snake through the security queue, pull out your laptop before you get close to the scanner. Then you won’t hold up the travelers behind you as you fumble with your belongings. And when you get to the other side of the checkpoint, be sure you have the right laptop; it’s entirely too easy for you to accidentally pick up someone else’s machine.
2. Keep your gifts unwrapped
If you’re bringing presents, be sure to leave them unwrapped until you arrive at your destination. That’s because TSA screeners may need to inspect the contents before clearing your checked or carry-on bag. You may want to consider shipping the gifts to your destination in advance, which could also save you from paying an overweight baggage fee.
3. Lose the pounds on your luggage
Packing light won’t just help you avoid straining your shoulders; it’s also a good way to keep you from draining your pocketbook. Most airlines allow you to check two pieces of baggage of up to 50 pounds each. Overweight bags of up to 70 pounds will cost you at least $25, and you’ll pay an extra $80-$85 for a third checked bag. If you absolutely have to bring all that on your trip, consider using a door-to-door service like Luggage Express, which will save you the hassle of schlepping your heavy bags into the airport.
4. Leave yourself enough time
With about 25 million people expected to travel during the Thanksgiving season, according to the Air Transport Association, you’re bound to run into delays on the freeway, at the parking garage, in the security line and on the runway. Take a deep breath and don’t be surprised if everything takes a little longer than usual. Also, be sure to build enough time into your schedule if you plan to check your luggage: New airline rules require you to complete check-in, depending on your airport, no less than 30 to 45 minutes before departure. As a general guideline, you’ll want to be at the airport at least one hour before departure for domestic flights, and at least two hours for international flights.
5. Print your boarding passes on the Web
One good way to save time at the airport is to bypass the ticket counter entirely. Check in on the Web and you’ll be able to select or improve your seating assignment and avoid waiting in line. Even if you’re checking bags, you can still print your boarding pass online and take care of your luggage by using either an airport kiosk or curb side check-in. Be aware, however, that in some cities, it’ll cost you $2 per bag to use the curb side service. 6. Avoid delays
If bad weather is affecting your departure or destination city, there probably isn’t much you can do to make sure you’re on time for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you’re connecting in a city that’s being socked by a snowstorm, you have more control: Call your airline and see if you can be rebooked on a different flight. Also, when you’re buying your tickets, it’s a good idea to travel early in the day. Not only are you less likely to face delays, but you’ll have more options for fixing the situation if something goes awry.
7. Stay in the know
Don’t wait until you get to the airport to find out that your plane’s been delayed. Check your flight status on the airline’s Web site several hours before you’re scheduled to depart. Being aware of potential problems early gives you time to make alternate arrangements.
Also, be sure to sign up online for automatic flight status notification. This service enables the airline to send a text message to your cell phone or PDA with current information about your flight. These updates can be particularly welcomed when you’re on a plane stuck at the gate. On a flight out of O’Hare last month, I was one of the first to know that our departure time would be pushed back—yet again—by wave after wave of strong thunderstorms.
8. Scout out airport eats and diversions
Airports make some people cranky under the best of circumstances, and I’m not just talking about the under-5 set. It’s a smart idea to check your airport’s Web site to figure out if there’s anywhere good to eat near your gate. If you’re faced with a lengthy delay and you’re not hungry, you can also find out about the other airport offerings. For instance, with time on my hands in Chicago, I check out the neon light sculpture in the tunnel between the B and C gates at O’Hare’s Terminal 1. Or, delayed at Boston’s Logan airport, I take in the Rube Goldberg-like contraption in Terminal C. Need another idea if you’re delayed at the airport? Try an airport spa.
9. Check the weather forecast
Even if your flight takes off without a hitch, you don’t want to be caught unaware by stormy skies later in your trip. And if you’re going somewhere unfamiliar for the holidays, it’s helpful to know whether you should pack sunglasses or a scarf. Check the long-range weather forecast for your destination so you can be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw at you.
10. Know where you're going
Finally, don’t spend so much time worrying about getting onto your flight that you don’t think about what happens once you’re off it. If someone’s picking you up, make sure you have a plan for meeting up; if you’re renting a car, have your confirmation number handy. And a final tip: If you’re heading someplace unfamiliar, print out driving directions in advance. You don’t want to get lost on the way to your hotel—or there’s a good chance you’ll be thought of as this year’s Thanksgiving turkey.6. Avoid delays
If bad weather is affecting your departure or destination city, there probably isn’t much you can do to make sure you’re on time for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you’re connecting in a city that’s being socked by a snowstorm, you have more control: Call your airline and see if you can be rebooked on a different flight. Also, when you’re buying your tickets, it’s a good idea to travel early in the day. Not only are you less likely to face delays, but you’ll have more options for fixing the situation if something goes awry.
7. Stay in the know
Don’t wait until you get to the airport to find out that your plane’s been delayed. Check your flight status on the airline’s Web site several hours before you’re scheduled to depart. Being aware of potential problems early gives you time to make alternate arrangements.
Also, be sure to sign up online for automatic flight status notification. This service enables the airline to send a text message to your cell phone or PDA with current information about your flight. These updates can be particularly welcomed when you’re on a plane stuck at the gate. On a flight out of O’Hare last month, I was one of the first to know that our departure time would be pushed back—yet again—by wave after wave of strong thunderstorms.
8. Scout out airport eats and diversions
Airports make some people cranky under the best of circumstances, and I’m not just talking about the under-5 set. It’s a smart idea to check your airport’s Web site to figure out if there’s anywhere good to eat near your gate. If you’re faced with a lengthy delay and you’re not hungry, you can also find out about the other airport offerings. For instance, with time on my hands in Chicago, I check out the neon light sculpture in the tunnel between the B and C gates at O’Hare’s Terminal 1. Or, delayed at Boston’s Logan airport, I take in the Rube Goldberg-like contraption in Terminal C. Need another idea if you’re delayed at the airport? Try an airport spa.
9. Check the weather forecast
Even if your flight takes off without a hitch, you don’t want to be caught unaware by stormy skies later in your trip. And if you’re going somewhere unfamiliar for the holidays, it’s helpful to know whether you should pack sunglasses or a scarf. Check the long-range weather forecast for your destination so you can be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw at you.
10. Know where you're going
Finally, don’t spend so much time worrying about getting onto your flight that you don’t think about what happens once you’re off it. If someone’s picking you up, make sure you have a plan for meeting up; if you’re renting a car, have your confirmation number handy. And a final tip: If you’re heading someplace unfamiliar, print out driving directions in advance. You don’t want to get lost on the way to your hotel—or there’s a good chance you’ll be thought of as this year’s Thanksgiving turkey.
