Photo: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
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Pre-check, people. Pre-check.
If you haven’t already, sign up for TSA’s Pre-check. Run, don’t walk. Do not pass go until you have. It won’t spare you the aggravation that comes when your flight is delayed, but you will be able to zip through security with your shoes on, your laptop still in its case and your sanity intact. |
Photo Credit: Matthew Smith
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Check and double check.
Before you leave for the airport, check to see that your flight is on time. Make it easy on yourself and sign up to receive travel alerts from your airline, notifying you of flight status and changes to gates or flight times. |
Photo Credit: Mike Bird
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Pack your A game.
When it comes to holiday travel, it’s best to pack as light as possible and wear the bulkiest items on your flight. If you can get it all in a carry-on, all the better. If you’re traveling over the December holidays, a single carry-on bag might not be feasible. In that event, be sure to pack your essentials (medications, mini contact solution bottle, chargers and cords, etc.) in a carry-on lest your bags be lost or your flight delayed. And gifts? Leave then unwrapped in case TSA wants to take a peek or consider shipping them ahead. |
Get the 3-1-1.
The 3-1-1 rule for liquids still holds. Three ounces. One 1-quart bag. The rest goes in your checked baggage. More info about the 3-1-1 rule here |
Photo Credit: Farin Sadiq
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Time is on your side.
Take a page from Mick Jagger, and allow plenty of time to get to airport, plenty of time to check your bags and plenty of time for security. Some savvy travelers allow for additional 90 minutes. |
Photo Credit: William Iven
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App it to me.
There are some great travel apps out there that will give you the location of every eatery, bar, shopping venue and traveler lounge in the airport. Good to know. Even better, some airline apps have a rebooking feature in the event of flight delays and cancellation. |
Photo Credit: Gus Ruballo
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Fly direct.
Direct flights, especially those early in the morning are best. Direct because you don’t risk missing or having your connection canceled. Earlier because in the event either of the former two things happen, you still have the chance of getting on a later flight. |
Don’t book direct.
Flying direct minimizes the odds of something going wrong, but in the event it does, you’ll be glad you booked with a travel agent. That way you can be enjoying the splendors of a shoulder massage or manicure in Terminal A, while they do the leg work to get you re-routed and home in time for turkey dinner. |
Photo Credit: Skitterphoto
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Follow the Golden Rule.
Be kind. Be generous. Be the person your mother raised you to be. Remember that everyone else is struggling to get home as well, and in the event of delays, airport employees are also under fire. |