The Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest holiday periods for airport travelers in the country. You remember the Jetblue disaster last year? Sitting on the tarmac for 8 hours! Jetblue and other airlines have made changes since then but there are things you can do to make your traveling a little less stressful.
U.S. airlines will carry 27 million more passengers during the week before and after the holiday. That is a 4% increase over the norm (about 600,000 more passengers per day). Inevitably that means if you are traveling this holiday season there is a good chance that you will be delayed. What to do? Read on:
1. Obtain real-time airport delay information before you leave home. This site is brought to you by the FAA. You can also obtain more information at this site by clicking on your specific airport.
2. Check-in before you arrive so all you have to do is drop-off your stuff, show your i.d. and be on your way (depending on the airline you are traveling with). I have done this with American Airlines, Jetblue and United although many others offer this feature online - just go to their website.
3. If you are delayed or a flight is canceled, call the airlines 1-800 number while you are in line to get on the next available flight. If you are at the counter, DO NOT LEAVE until they get you on another acceptable flight. This even means putting you on another airline, ASK to do so if they do not offer.
4. Bring as little as you can when you go through security. The less stuff you have, the faster you will get through. Make sure to check the items you can and can not bring.
5. That said, you should bring a few things to make your wait a little more enjoyable. A few things you can bring include: a favorite book, your laptop (many airports offer Fi or have hook-ups available), puzzle books, handheld games (electronic or not), or for some, work.
6. If you have children make sure you pack extra snacks, diapers, formula and favorite toys or games. Diapers and formula are expensive and/or unavailable at the airport.
7. A comfy coat is a good item to have in case you have to use it as a pillow or blanket to sleep/rest.
8. Bring patience and a feeling of holiday joy while traveling and know you are not in it alone. There are 26 million people in the same predicament.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Traveling!
Melissa Gilbert
http://ttdiva.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_A_Gilbert
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