Serving Up Some Holiday Travel Tips
It’s that time of year when the placement of pumpkins and pilgrim posters in retail aisles makes my palms sweat. Harbingers of holiday unpreparedness, I’m quickly reminded that I’ve yet to make holiday travel plans.
Considering flight loads and anxiety levels during the turkey day travail, we might consider (as a nation) splitting the holiday up between coasts, like shared custody. Residents west of the Mississippi celebrate Thanksgiving on odd years; those who live east of the mighty river, get to enjoy the holiday on even years.
Before I digress further, I do offer my cornucopia of travel tips for your consideration.
Holiday (and Everyday) Travel Tips
- Weigh cost and inconvenience when planning travel.
- Think through arrival and departure times.
- Book a nonstop flight when available.
- Pack light; there are new costs associated with checking luggage.
- Check out baggage policies
- Make a plan A and B for airport parking (lots may be full)
- Take a photo of your parking space location for reference
- Don't forget: flight information, Web check-in printout, ID, cash, extra-strength aspirin, eyeglasses, cell phone, patience, etc.
- Double check your departure time well before your departure time.
- Check in online and print boarding pass prior to leaving for the airport (usually up to 24-hours ahead of flight time).
- Pack some snacks (leave liquids >3.5 oz. at home)
- Depart earlier than normal for the airport. (Anticipate parking, security screening, check-in, traffic, larger crowds.)
- Wear easily removable shoes (Mom will not approve of flip-flops)
- Be aware that airlines usually release pre-assigned seats 20-30 minutes prior to departure if you have not checked in (an argument for checking in online).
- Flights will likely be overbooked. If you’re late and miss your original flight, later flights may not have space to accommodate you.
- Remove all old destination tags from luggage.
- Add ID tags to luggage (inside and out)
- Don’t bring wrapped gifts through security
- Bye bye chianti; no wine bottles past security
- Upon checking in, verify your checked baggage receipts match your final destination. (Portland, Maine is not Portland, Oregon.)
- Keep valuables, cell phone chargers and medications in your carry-on luggage.
- Laptops and high value items are not covered for loss or damage
- Adhere to TSA travel policies and airline carry-on luggage rules.
- No joking; take security seriously. (Holding cells rarely serve pumpkin pie.)
- Email your itinerary to appropriate parties
- If being picked up, give very specific instructions to the chauffeur, and exchange cell phone numbers.
- Don't sweat the small stuff (at the airport and at your final destination)
What holiday tips would like to add? Share here.