Long check-in and security lines, traffic jams on the runway, bad weather – the list could go on. There’s a multitude of potential delays you could run into at the airport during the holiday travel season. However, if you prepare a little (and have a good attitude), you’ll be boarding the plane and be on your way with a minimum amount of hassle. Here are five steps that can really help you out:
1. Online Check-In
The lines at your airline’s check-in counter are never a pleasant experience. (Then again, is anything pleasant at the airport?) If you’re flying domestically, try checking in online and print your boarding passes at home. Then all you’ll have to do is quickly check in your bags. Or, if all you have is a carry-on, just skip the rest and head straight to security.
2. Sign Up for Email or Text Message Alerts
There aren’t many things worse than arriving at the airport on time or even early and then discovering that your flights been delayed. So sign up for email or text message alerts (we’ll cover this in a future post). They’ll alert you to any itinerary changes for your trip. And before you leave, check the status of your flight online.
3. Keep Your Gifts Unwrapped, or Ship Them Ahead of Time
If you’re taking holiday gifts on the flight with you, make sure they’re unwrapped and keep them with you. This will help you out if security decides they want to unwrap them to check their content. Or, better yet – save yourself a lot of hassle and ship them to your destination before you leave.
4. Check Your Airline’s Baggage Policies
A lot of airlines have started implementing first and second checked bag fees. If any of your bags are overweight or oversized, they’ll hit you with a nice fee. The same goes if you’re carrying something unusual, like skis, your trophy antlers, etc.; expect to be hit with another fee. What can you do? Know what your airline is going to charge you extra for and plan accordingly. Check into their policies so that there are no surprises, conflicts, or negotiations when you get to the check-in counter.
5. Keep Your Contact Information Handy
Make sure you have all your customer service phone numbers easily accessible. You should have numbers for your travel agent, airline, hotel, rental car, and anyone else who might come in handy, just in case you need to change your plans.
It seems like there’s always some kind of holiday approaching, and hopefully a vacation to go along with it. Regardless of how long you have until you leave, right now is always the best time to prepare for busy airports, long lines, and the frustrations that always go along with flying. What’s our best advice to help you cut down on the frustration and lower your at-the-airport stress levels? Get there early.