Holiday Travel Tips

It’s that time of year again. Time to stress not only about what to get that special someone, but how to get to that special someone.

During the holiday season it is easy to forget some of the most important things about travel.

Let’s take an example of traveling by plane.

First you should make a list of the important information. If you are traveling by airplane, you should include on your list the name of the airline. You should also put down flight information such as what flight number(s), and times, along with any layovers that may occur. The most important thing to include in this information is the confirmation order. Without this one piece of information, you cannot get your boarding pass.

Secondly, you need to secure your luggage. Put your name, address, and phone number on all pieces of luggage. Leave all luggage unlocked. If a piece of checked luggage is found to be locked, you will be paged to come unlock it. If you are on a long trip, and you are not served food, it is a wise idea to bring some sandwiches aboard for a meal.

A good idea is that you put all bottles into a plastic bag in your luggage so if they burst open from the change in air pressure, the contents will not spill all over the place.

Allow time before the flight to go though screening. Remember: The screening time depends on each different airport. If you are not sure on how early to get there, call the airport or check its website before your departure date. Leave all packaging (i.e. Christmas gifts and birthday gifts) UNWRAPPED. If any package is wrapped, security will have you unwrap it then and there. Either call the airline, or check the website to learn about package information.

Thirdly, comply with federal guidelines and do not place any toenail clippers, scissors, or other beauty care products in your carry-on bag. You may place them in a checked bag, without locks.

Also if you need medication on the plane, make sure that they are in current labeled bottles. Another good idea is to place all pocket contents inside a bag before going through security. This helps ease security congestion, and it insures a smooth transition though the gates.

Lastly, as with any travel situation, vigilance is the key to a safe trip. Make sure that you know where your valuables (such as plane tickets and money) are, so they can be easily located if asked for.