Want to Survive The Holiday Travel? Follow These 5 Tips!
Traveling through the airport this season to visit family, friends, and loved ones sure can cause lots of headaches and anxiety. The list of potential hurdles is seemingly insurmountable: brutal security lines, disappearing luggage, flight delays, lost children – the list can almost go on forever. That being said, we here at GateGuru want to make the holiday travel experience as bearable as possible so that you can stay in the holiday spirit. So while we can’t stop American Airlines from throwing you off the plane for playing Words With Friends, here are the 5 most useful tips you will receive to make your holiday travel as smooth as possible.
Travel light:
This will help you avoid those pesky baggage fees that no one can actually keep track of (though if you are checking bags, here is a great list so you know fees by airlines). In order to travel light, have your gifts sent directly to where you are going. If you chose to carry gifts, be weary of wrapping them as the airlines and TSA have the right to make you open them. In general, our rule is that if you can avoid checking a bag altogether, do that. I mean, if you are going home, you have some awesome old high school sweaters to wear, right?
Arrive early: Sure, this seems like a no brainer. The holiday travel time is so unpredictable that your typical airport arrival times go out the door. If the travel through security is smooth, have your entertainment (laptop, books, iPods) handy to keep you entertained (although nothing beats airport people watching) while at the gate. If all else fails, you can even try those new pick-up lines at the airport bar.
Knowledge is power: Mobile apps have really changed the game for how you can experience your day-of travel. If you have a smartphone, you can get all of the information you need on your day-of travel from apps. In many cases, apps can actually give you more up to date flight information than what the gate agent is telling you about your flight, especially when there are delays. Apps can also tell you the wait time at security, where the best food is in the airport, where the closest lounge is or where to find the gift shop to buy that last minute holiday gift. GateGuru actually does all of this btw J.
Have a Positive Attitude: Remember, we are all in this together. Traffic, long lines, delayed or cancelled flights; at the end of the day everyone wants to get home to celebrate the holidays. It’s easy to get frustrated at the airport, but adding a little humility goes a long way. You’d be surprised at how far a smile at the TSA agent or even the airline booking person can go.
Don’t worry about being “that person”
Success favors the well-prepared right? So get the noise canceling headphones, the neck pillow and the eye mask. While we personally are not “flight pillow people”, this is the one time of year that we won’t cast judgment on you. Also, package your snacks and toiletries to the exact amount allowable amount in nicely compartmentalized bags. Have a bright yellow bowtie attached to your luggage for quick identification at the baggage claim.
Finally, what list would be complete without a few things to avoid:
Jewelry that can’t be taken off (looking at you Cartier love bracelet)
Weapons (even accessories with weapons on them!)
Words with Friends
Garlic (and other strong smelling herbs)
What are you waiting for? GO WEST YOUNG MAN (WOMAN)!
- Your Friends at GateGuru
