5 Tips on Surviving the Airport Around Thanksgiving

Plan Ahead
Leaving things to chances and failing to plan out as many things as possible for your flight is a sure-fire way to increase your stress over the holidays. There are many things you can do prior to leaving for the airport to facilitate a smooth trip. First, confirm your flight details over the phone (or the Internet). Delays and flight cancellations are sometimes known hours before the flight is scheduled to leave, which can eliminate needless time waiting around at the airport. Second, review the rules and regulations about baggage. Airlines are frequently changing rules about weight and contents. You don't need an excess baggage fee of $50 or more because you don't want to leave your belongings at the airport because you didn't know. Third, allow plenty of time for checking in at getting to the gate. The guidelines by the airlines are just that - a guideline. If you are traveling as or with someone with a physical restriction, children or overseas, allow even more terminal time before your flight. Lastly, think of the little things you might want to pass the time before and during your flight. Packing some snacks, magazines, cards, hand-held games, etc. in your carry-on will keep your mind and stomach occupied - and save money. You can't pack water or beverages from home, that will have to be bought at the airport.

Be Flexible
You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: Flight times and departure gates change on a regular basis. You can only control how you react to these things. By allowing plenty of time, you reduce the stress and anxiety of these changes and won't be rushing down the terminal, sweating through your shirt. If a gate is changed at the very last-minute, remember there are plenty of other people in the same boat as you. Flights rarely, if ever, take off without giving the passengers adequate time to change gates when flight details were altered.

Play Nice
Combining air travel with the holidays is especially stressful with extra people at the airport, all trying to get where they need to go. The line will only move so fast. The person sitting next to you on the plane will be there for awhile. The agent at the counter has had a long day too. Manners go a long way for everyone. A little smile and tact make air travel during the busiest time of year just a little bit easier.

Keep Track of Everything and Everyone
The announcement is played about 10 times a minute at the airport, but keep track of your belongings. Leaving a bag in the restroom or at the snack shop can send your blood pressure through the roof in two seconds flat. By consolidating your things down to a manageable load, you can reduce the risk of losing something at the airport. If traveling in a group, stay close together when walking in the terminal. Before going from the counter to the gate, ensure that everyone knows the gate information and what the procedure will be if you are separated.

Travel At Off-Peak Times
This is the biggest way to make your holiday air travel as smooth as possible. Thanksgiving is Thursday. The highest percentage of people travel to their destination on Wednesday and back home on Sunday. By altering your schedule you can quickly become the minority at the airport during that time of year. Take an early flight on Thanksgiving morning (if it's a short flight) or taking the entire week off. Return on Saturday instead of Sunday or stay until Monday or Tuesday. The easiest way to reduce your air travel stress is to avoid the rush and be a contrarian.

Source: Associated Content