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Holiday Air Travel Tips:
Don't
Get Caught in a Holding Pattern
by Courtney
Caldwell
Anyone
who has traveled during the holiday season knows how challenging it can be with
crowds, security and possible weather delays. Being prepared is the best way to
prevent what can be a very stressful situation. Here are a few holiday travel
tips to help you through the chaos:
If
at all possible, avoid traveling on the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving.
These are known as the busiest travel days of the year.
Call
ahead or go online to confirm your seat assignment. This will save you from waiting
in a long line at the airport. Certain airlines, such as Northwest, even offer
check-in services online so you can easily print out your boarding pass at home.
Once you get to the airport, just check your bag curbside and you're ready to
go.
- Another
way to save time is to use the e-ticket check-in when you arrive at the airport.
These lines move much more quickly than waiting in line for an agent at the counter.
And yes, you can check luggage at the e-ticket check in. Everything is automated
but there are agents to help you just in case you need them.
- Arrive
at the airport two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart to allow for long lines and delays.
Rushing will only cause more stress and ruin your holiday.
- Confirm
your flight before heading to the airport to make sure it's on time or there have
been no changes.
- If
someone is picking you up at the airport, be sure to make plans ahead of time
for a meeting point. Due to security reasons, most airports no longer allow pick-ups
at the arrival doors (and these rules are strictly enforced).
- Check
with your airlines about luggage and carry-on restrictions, especially during
holiday travel. Most bags have a 50-pound limit per bag. Carry-ons are limited
to one or two pieces depending on airline.
- Do
not wrap gifts or seal boxes. Security will open all wrapped packages. Plan to
do all your wrapping when you arrive at your destination or you'll be doing it
twice.
- Do
not lock your luggage. Security still does random manual checks and will break
your lock off if your luggage is chosen.
- Bring
plenty to do or read with you for yourself and your family to keep occupied. You may be at the airport and
in flight for quite some
time. Consider it the gift of time, something in short supply for everyone today.
- Be
patient. Know that traveling during the busiest time of year means long lines
and delays. It's much better to be delightfully surprised that things are running
smoothly than getting angry that they're not. During holiday travel, expect what's normally
unexpected.
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