I know some of you already have your Christmas trees up and your holiday Pandora station blasting, but I’m here to tell you to tap the breaks, because IT IS ALMOST THANKSGIVING.
I love Thanksgiving and look forward to it every year. It is fall’s last hurrah before Christmas season is 100% allowed to take over. So let me enjoy my pumpkin flavored everything for just a little longer and get through Turkey Day before ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ starts bombarding me at every turn.
With Thanksgiving comes the beginning of the holiday travel season. We never flew around the holidays when I was younger because all of my family lives close. But once I left for school, I realized just how crazy it can get. Freshman year I had to leave the day before Thanksgiving and I nearly didn’t make it home because of flight delays. I have dealt with my fair share of travel hassles, not just at the holidays, so here’s a few tips to make your holiday travel as smooth as possible.
- Get their early. This applies to all travel, but especially at the holidays. Security is going to take longer no matter what, and there will be a million other people who want to shove their way in front of you in order to make their flight. Arrive at least an hour and a half before your flight leaves, and arrive 2 hours early if you can. Wouldn’t you rather sit at your gate than be stuck in security knowing that you have to reschedule?
- Know your stuff. I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted being stuck behind people who don’t fly and who have no idea how the rules work. Yes, sir, you DO have to take your belt off. Yes, ma’am, you DO have to take your laptop out. If you don’t fly very often, maybe take a peek at your airline’s website or the TSA website just to update yourself on the rules.
- Dress for success. Do not wear your thigh-high lace up boots and seventeen layers of clothes that all have metal accents. I shared a few flyer-friendly outfits last week that will make your security nightmare a little smoother.
- Bring a non-roller board carry-on. Sometimes, when flights are completely full as they are during the holidays, airlines will run out of room and make you check your second carry-on bag (for free), meaning you could possibly spend extra time waiting at your destination if you weren’t planning on checking. If you are carrying a smaller duffel bag, you will often be able to get away with bringing it aboard. But just in case, make sure you have everything you need in your smaller carry-on that goes under your seat.
- Be prepared for the worst. Your flight could get delayed (or worse, cancelled). You could miss a connection. You could lose your luggage. Things can- and probably will- happen. Just be prepared, and try to keep calm.
Traveling during the holidays isn’t exactly fun, but know that once you finally leave the airport you get to see your family, friends, and eat all the food that you can get your hands on. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!