Fabulous Holiday Travel Tips!
A Dose of Sass
By Steve Kemble
I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME PRODUCING MEETINGS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE, and many of you ask how I survive the airports, hotels, delays, cancellations, airline food and just travel in general. Many of your questions come as the holidays approach, when you, your family and loved ones will be traveling. Here are my top 12 ways to make holiday travel enjoyable. May you be able to pre-board, get your upgrades and above all remember that items do shift during flight, so pack your Louie properly.
1. Book Early
Try to book an early a.m. flight before the skies get too congested.
2. Check Traffic
Prior to leaving to the airport, check the road traffic to make sure you’re taking the best route. Know where you want to park at the airport. You can make advance reservations at many of the offsite parking lots.
3. Arrive Early
Get to the airport two hours prior to your departure time for domestic flights and three hours prior to international flights.¬ (Double-check baggage cutoff time; most airlines need all luggage at least 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.)
4. Check Flight Status
Check your flight status and departure gate online prior to leaving your residence.
5. Check In Online
Check in online, and print your boarding pass to avoid lines at the ticket counter.
6. Send Gifts Ahead of Time
Send wrapped holiday gifts ahead of time, or put them in your checked baggage. (If you carry gifts through the security checkpoint, they may have to be unwrapped, and I have not found one TSA employee who is good at gift wrapping!)
7. Once at the Airport
- Consider curbside check-in or a self check-in kiosk to avoid lines at the ticket counter.
- Be prepared for security lines, so take a dose of patience.
- Remember you cannot bring more than three ounces of any liquid through security.
- Have your license or passport and boarding pass in hand so you don’t have to look for them at the security checkpoint.
- Liquids must be in three-ounce containers or less, in a zip-top bag (you may want to put some extra ones in your briefcase or purse for another trip).
- Remember to dress for security; you are going to have to take off big jewelry, jackets, shoes, belt and anything else that might set off the magnetometer.
8. Nourishment
Once beyond security and inside the airport, consider taking something on board to eat and drink. When thinking about what you want to eat, remember your fellow passengers do not want to smell what you have selected the entire flight, so choose your meal carefully. You are permitted to bring an empty water bottle through the checkpoint, and can then fill it up at a water fountain.
9. Be Courteous of Fellow Passengers
Remember to be courteous of your seatmates by keeping your elbows within the armrests. People who have the middle seats should be allowed whatever arm room they need and want.
10. Keep a Low Volume
Keep any cell phone conversations prior to taking off and after landing at a low volume. You may think what you are saying is important but most likely no one around you does.
11. Travel Clean
You can help the airlines keep on schedule by traveling clean. With quick turnarounds, many times the cleaning personal do not have time to clean all the seat back pockets. So be courteous of the next passenger and do not put leftover food or gum in the seatback. It is always appreciated, too, if you wipe down your tray after eating.
12. Pack Wisely
Create a list for your packing needs and pack neatly. If you pack neatly it will be easier for the security personnel to check your luggage should they need to. Additionally, check with the airline in advance to see what the weight allowances are for your baggage.
STEVE KEMBLE has been the magic behind countless international events for more than 20 years, from celebrating NFL players' accomplishments to organizing parties for two presidents. Follow him at www.adoseofsass.com or on Twitter @stevekemblechat.