Over the hills & through the airports

Dec. 19, 2007

Holiday travel never sounds like a good idea, although it’s obviously the only way to get where many people want to be during the holidays each year, which is with family and friends. But each year also seems to be fraught with holiday travel hassle - crowded airports, luggage hassles, rescheduled flights - and dealing with all that often keeps you from arriving with a smile on your face and a fresh fruitcake in hand (not that fruitcake is ever fresh, but you know what we’re getting at.)
So are there any methods via which you can ease your holiday travel even just the slightest? There are a few - but you’ll have a little less to worry about if you’re driving or taking a train. Flying is the big concern over the holidays, so if that’s your mode of transportation, that’s where you’ll want to take the most care in making those travel plans.

PLANNING AHEAD
It’s the first bit of advice any travel agent will give you, and the smartest, even though many people still tend to wait until the last minute and then wonder why everything’s booked.
“We’re well past booking ahead this year,” Jim Kan of Petoskey’s Andrew Kan Travel confirms with a chuckle.
Christmas keeps the same date each year, so you know exactly when your holiday trip will be happening. Start planning in early November - heck, September if you’re that diligent - and you’ll find a whole world of available flights, car rentals, trains, hotel rooms, and restaurants waiting with open arms to book you and yours. And if you’re traveling to foreign locales, make sure that your passport and visas are up-to-date - don’t let your trip be scuttled by something as simple has having expired documents.
If you’re traveling by train and have a long distance to travel, start saving a little extra a few months ahead of time and get yourself a sleeper car or upgraded seat - or at least bringing along something to plug into your ears to block out extraneous sound; you’ll be thanking yourself during your holiday trip when that train is full of tired, whiny children. If you’re driving, utilize such free internet sites as MapQuest to plan out your driving route in advance - you’ll find that everyone’s more relaxed if you know what’s going on and aren’t scrambling to figure out the right exit ramp in heavy traffic at midnight. And if you’re flying, you can even check ahead to see if any of your layover airports have decent shops for last minute gift-buying - but, then again, if you’re planning this far ahead, you probably already have all your gifts purchased, too, right?

FLY THE COMPLICATED SKIES
Even though the new air travel regulations have been in place for what seems like years now, some people still, surprisingly, haven’t got a clue what they’re supposed to do. If you just haven’t been paying attention or just don’t care, then shame on you and coal in your stocking; if you simply haven’t traveled in a while, here’s what’s going on:
First of all, you’ll want to check baggage allowances with the airline you’ve chosen well before your trip, so you can pack accordingly. You can do a pre check-in, too, according to Stephen Cassens, Airport Director of Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport. “You can actually get your boarding pass 24 hours prior to your flight now,” Cassens explains, “either via the airline website, or through our website at www.tvcairport.com. Pre check-in is perhaps the best thing people can do to expedite their travels.”
Perhaps the biggest slow-down at airport checkpoints are those darned toiletries. But it’s as easy as just using the 311 rule to remember what to do: you’re only allowed 3 ounce sizes of liquid or gel toiletries, they all must fit in a 1 quart Ziploc plastic bag, and each traveler is only allowed 1 bag, which must be removed from your luggage and placed in the security bin separately. If you have this done correctly and have your Ziploc bag out and ready (along with your ID and boarding pass and your removed coat and shoes), you’ll move right along - the TSA says that “packing smarter will get you through security quicker” - and it’s true. Oversized electronics (laptops, video cameras, etc.) have to be removed from your luggage and placed separately in the bins, too - and if you’re bringing Christmas gifts in your luggage, for the umpteenth time, don’t wrap them - you’re just going to see your pretty wrappings ripped apart when the TSA has to see exactly what’s in those boxes - and don’t bring wine or jelly gifts, as you won’t be allowed to take them on board - mail those sorts of presents to your destination ahead of time.

BE EARLY AND BE PREPARED
Arriving super early to the airport isn’t a bad idea, either - just like the school lunch line, first in line are served first.
“You should be to the airport at least an hour and a half prior to your departure time,” Stephen Cassens suggests.
Parking is also a concern that you might not be thinking about.
“Be aware of the parking situation at any airport you’re going to,” Jim Kan advises, “some airports may have parking much farther away from the airport than you’ve anticipated, and that can complicate your schedule and make you late for your flight.”
Kan also mentions that the heaviest travel days, traditionally, are December 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 31st, and January 1st and 2nd, so if you’re traveling on any of those days, allow yourself even more time. The airports are ready for you though - all airports know that this time of year is an especially busy one.
“Yes, it’s definitely busy,” confirms Cassens, “but we’re ready for that. We do nearly three times the business in the summer that we do in the winter, so we’re well prepared for heavy influxes of traffic.”
You might not be prepared for the environmental overload, though. Just like on the trains, don’t forget that the planes during the holidays will be chock-full of tired travelers and fidgety children - if you can afford to save ahead for a first-class or business upgrade, this is one time you’ll be extra-glad you spent the money. Whatever section of the plane you’re in, though, create your own holiday-stress-free zone with your own scarf or blanket (trust us - you don’t want to use those airplane blankets - don’t ask), an eye mask, a music or video player with earphones so you can shut out the myriad of noises around you, and a healthy snack (because you’re not going to get much food from the airlines any more, and a lack of nutrition can make a crabby traveler even worse.)
HIT THE GAS, SANTA
If you’re rejecting the airports for the open road, the first thing you should do when prepping for your holiday road trip is check your car. Again, so many people just hop in and go, not checking the oil, tire pressure or any of the other essentials. Few things can wreck a holiday trip more than standing on the side of the road in sub-zero temps waiting for the Auto Club to arrive as those holiday moments tick away. Chances are the weather’s not going to be so great at some point, so make sure you’ve got emergency provisions in your car, too - yeah, it’s a bit of a pain, especially when you’re trying to cram all of those suitcases and presents in - but a few blankets, flares, jumper cables, matches, drinking water, snacks, and a first-aid kit are invaluable in the event of a blizzard. Better safe than sorry.
If you’ve already got your MapQuest route in hand (which you should), give yourself plenty of leeway to get on the road early, and don’t be an impatient driver - remember that everyone’s trying to get to grandma’s house this time of year, and no one else wants to be sitting in the car for hours, either - courtesy goes a long way. If you can make the trip part of the holiday fun, with great things to listen to (favorite CDs and podcasts are especially cool in the car), more snacks, and maybe even a prettier route as opposed to a highway route, then all the better. Planning a few stops to stretch your legs, snap some silly photos, and get a fresh coffee is something else that can make the drive less tedious.

APPRECIATE YOUR DESTINATION
There’s so much grumbling associated with holiday travel that many people forget why they’re doing it in the first place. If you can take a few moments to remember that you’re going to visit people you may rarely get a chance to spend any time with, that might help you appreciate the opportunity - we live in an era in which you can cross the globe in a very short span of time (it’s remarkable, really), whereas our ancestors, if they lived too far apart, might go years and years and many holidays without seeing (or even talking to!) each other. If you think about only being able to communicate with your parents, siblings, Grandma, or your best friend by mere Pony Express letter - especially at Christmas - then having to hop into a car, train, or plane to actually spend quality time with those you love may not seem so bad after all.
Use your travel time to anticipate the fun you’re going to have - not every holiday (or family) is perfect, but you know there are going to be unforgettable moments in there, and you can make your holiday more enjoyable by planning ahead, packing smart, not rushing, making the travel time itself part of the whole holiday experience, and giving yourself every chance at the smoothest trip possible.