12 Holiday Hints for Airport Travel

Ease your airport anxiety and follow these helpful hints for flying this holiday season!

1) Pack Light- Ship your gifts rather than packing them with you. Most airlines are charging a checked bag fee, so it will be cost effective to ship your gifts. This allows you to carry on your light luggage, and skip the airline fees.

2) Check Your Weight- If you are checking your luggage, be sure to step on the scale before you head out. It is helpful to plan ahead for any additional checked baggage costs before you get to the airport. Checked baggage over 50 lbs. can cost about $50/ bag in addition to the checked bag fee. That will add up very quickly if you are not prepared. If you can, it will be helpful to weigh your bags before you head to the airport.

3) Lose the Liquids- Ditch or check your liquids over 3.4 oz/100ml because TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will confiscate all liquids over the indicated limit. Even if the liquid amount in a container is under the limit, but the container is over the limit, TSA will not allow you through security with the container. Also, detergent pens such as “Tide 3 Go” and “Shout” will also be taken at security. Check them in your luggage and you can clean up upon arrival at your destination.

4) Skip the Line, Check in online- Most airlines allow you check in online and print your boarding pass up to 24 hours before your scheduled flight. Online check in will save you some time from waiting in the check line when you arrive for your flight. Some airlines will also let you pay for you checked baggage online, speeding up the process in the curb-side and kiosk lines. Keep in mind the check in lines are generally longer than security, so sparing any time you can is a good way to travel stress free.

5) Park and Fly- Airport parking will be crowded and possibly sold out. Try reserving a spot through an off-site parking lot and shuttle into the airport. Most shuttle are super convenient and will pick you up with your luggage at your car. Avoid the parking crowd, and the cost could be about half the price of parking at the airport.

6) First Time Flyers- Unfortunately, this time of year brings a lot of beginner flyers to the airports. Be prepared for the slow lines and arrive a little earlier than usual. Give yourself a little extra time to compensate for the amateurs holding up the lines, this will help reduce irritability if you do happen to have to wait for someone new to airports.

7) Carry On Quick- Because of checked baggage fees, a lot of flyers are opting to carry on. The overheard space of the airplanes can fill up quickly. Be sure to board your aircraft as soon as you can so that you will have a space to stow your bag; even if you have to wait in the breezeway to the plane for 20 minutes.

8 ) BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks)- Airlines are nickel and diming passengers for everything these days. I will be surprised if I can get a free napkin on a flight this week. Be a little self-sufficient and snacks, food, and a travel pillow or blanket with you. You can dodge unnecessary airline fees for these amenities, and surely your snacks from home will be better than the $6 snack you could purchase in flight.

9) Avoid Airport Rental- Renting a car from the airport has become incredibly expensive. More than twice the cost for renting off-site. If you can, take other transportation to get to another rental location or beg your family or friend to pick you up from the airport.

10) Cell Phone Lots- The arrival curb can be a cluster, so if you have a kind family member or friend picking you up, let them know most airports now have “cell phone lots” where they can park and wait until you call when you land at your destination.

11) Pack for Sanitization- Certainly no one wants to get sick during the holidays. Be sure to being along some sanitizing wipes or gel to keep you from catching germs during all travel. If you have wipes you can wipe down anything you’ll touch will on the aircraft, otherwise be sure to sanitize your hands frequently. And don’t touch your face as that is the fastest ways to catch germs.

12) Flight Status Check- You can check your flight status by entering your flight number into a Google search or you can even SMS Text Google with your flight number to get updates on your flight status. Also, if someone is picking you up from the airport, give them you flight details so they can track your flight and pick you up at the correct times. Airports are extremely busy at this time, and there can often be delays simply because of airport traffic.

It is extremely important to go with the flow while traveling, as flying can make many people very vulnerable. Especially this time of year, when everyone is stressed to get to their destination safely for the holidays. Being irritable or upset does not fix weather, de-icing, traffic or airplane delays. Compose yourself, keep your cool, relax and grab your snacks that hopefully you remembered to bring with you. Safe travels and happy holidays!