It’s hard to believe but Thanksgiving week is upon us, meaning this Wednesday will be the busiest travel day of the year. Roughly 27 million people will pass through the nation’s airports on their way home for Thanksgiving. Needless to say, Thanksgiving travel this week won’t be pretty — so enjoy the annual OK WASSUP! Top 10 Thanksgiving Travel Tips to get you home with the least amount of stress and abuse:
ARRIVE EARLY –
This should go without saying but get to the airport early. When I say early, I mean AT LEAST 2 1/2 HOURS prior to your flight departure. The airports will be a madhouse and it will take more time than you can imagine navigating your way through security checkpoints and to your gate. Also, many airlines frequently oversell flights for extra income, so they will be quick to give your seat away to someone else if you’re not checked-in at least 45 minutes in advance. Better early and safe than late and missing your flight.
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AVOID BAGGAGE FEES –
Airlines discovered a cash cow when they realized they could charge you to check your bags instead of giving away the service for free. Well, if time permits, skip the $25. to $35. bag fees and ship your luggage in advance. Or, take only a carry-on bag. Not only will this tip save you holiday money, but it will prevent you from having to stand in long lines to have your bag checked by security prior to take-off, and from having to wait at a luggage carousel upon arrival along with thousands of other travelers.
Additionally, if you must check bags you may want to consider a baggage delivery service. Most airlines now offer the option for you to simply debark the plane and head on your way — then a service will claim your bags for you and deliver it to your door (for a fee, of course).
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CHECK-IN AT HOME –
Check-in for your flight and obtain your boarding pass at home the night before. All of the major airlines offer an app for your SmartPhone, so you can pull up your boarding pass on your screen electronically instead of having to print it out via computer or (worse) at the airport. Having your boarding pass already in hand will save you enormous time and hassle once you arrive at an overcrowded airport.
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DEPART AT ARRIVALS –
Here’s a trick I learned over years of Thanksgiving travel: when getting to the airport (especially for a morning flight), don’t go to the Departure Level since it will be a zoo. Instead, head for the Arrivals Level, which should be virtually empty during the morning hours. Then just take the escalator upstairs to your gate.
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ARRIVE AT DEPARTURES –
Here’s Part II of my Thanksgiving travel trick: when you arrive at your destination, have your friends or family pick you up at the Departure Level. Why? Because no one will be there! They’ll all be downstairs screaming and pushing, hoping against hope that their bags were actually on their same flight and waiting at least 40 minutes or more for that carousel to start moving. Traffic exiting the airport from the Departure Level should also be at a minimum, which will expedite your way out of airport hell and home to the sweet smell of turkey and giblet gravy.
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NO WRAPPED GIFTS –
If you check your bags and have gifts enclosed, DO NOT wrap them. TSA security personnel will be forced to unwrap them, especially if you’ve used any wrapping paper that contains metal or foil.
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LABEL YOUR BAGS –
Do not expect the ID tag that you faithfully put on the outside of your bag to remain there. Baggage conveyor belts love to eat these tags, so protect yourself. Use duct tape to affix a larger ID to the inside of your bag. That way, if the outside luggage tag is lost an official opening your bag will at least know where to find you.
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KNOW TSA RULES –
Grandma’s Thanksgiving leftovers are so delicious to take home on your flight, but be advised: many items just won’t make it past the security checkpoint. TSA has finally approved a whole turkey as OK for travel, as well as pies. However, cranberry sauce is a no-no. Here’s a complete list of what you CAN’T take with you:
* Creamy dips and spreads
(cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
* Gift baskets with food items
(salsa, jams and salad dressings)
* Gravy
* Jams
* Jellies
* Maple syrup
* Oils and vinegars
* Salad dressing
* Salsa
* Sauces
* Soups
* Wine, liquor, and beer
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USE ALTERNATE AIRPORTS –
If at all possible, use alternate airports: Burbank instead of LAX; Flint instead of Detroit; Chicago Midway instead of Chicago O’Hare; Oakland instead of San Francisco; Providence instead of Boston. You’ll thank yourself later for avoiding the biggest crowds by traveling through calmer airports.
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BE FLEXIBLE –
Last, but not least, if you’re one of those who waited until the last-minute to make Thanksgiving travel plans, DO NOT attempt to fly out on Wednesday. Assuming you can even get a seat, the enormity of the price will likely land you in bankruptcy. Instead, fly out on the very first flight Thanksgiving morning. That way, you’ll still get to where you need to go in time to cut the turkey, see your long-lost relatives and let them push all your emotional buttons during dinner.
On the flip side of Thanksgiving, stay the night. Then, fly home on Friday afternoon. The airports and your flight will both be unbelievably empty (while everyone is out shopping during Black Friday), and the airfare will be substantially lower. It’s a win-win!
HAPPY AND SAFE TRAVELS!
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