Avoiding Terminal Stress

From knowing the latest security rules to bypassing long lines, here are 12 tips to save your sanity at the airport this holiday.

By Erin Burt, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com

November 2008

If you've ever flown around the holidays before, you know what you're in for: long lines, massive delays, lost luggage, screaming children -- and that's just your ride to the airport.

RELATED LINKS
	5 Ways to Get Home for the Holidays
	Holiday Travel Tip Sheet
	Win the Bumping Game

But seriously, time spent in an airport terminal over the busiest travel weeks of the year is enough to turn the jolliest elf into a grinch. Although many situations are simply out of your control, you can even out potential bumps and make your experience go a bit smoother with these 12 tips.

1. Minimize delays. If you can help it, fly in the morning before the airport gets bogged down with a day's worth of delays and problems. And if you cannot take a direct flight, try to arrange your connecting flight through a hub less likely to experience weather delays -- for example, Dallas-Fort Worth instead of Chicago.

2. Pack smart. With most major airlines charging you extra to check bags now, be mindful of how much you pack. And when packing your luggage and carry-on bag, stay on top of the latest rules by checking www.tsa.gov/travelers before you fly.

Passengers, for example, are allowed to bring liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag, but the containers must be 3 ounces or less, and all must be carried in a single quart-sized zip-top plastic bag. You can bring prescription medications and baby formula in excess of 3 ounces, but they are subject to further inspection. Among other prohibited items: knives and razor blades (safety razors are okay), and snow globes.

Also, don't wrap gifts. Security may need to unwrap the present, even if it's packed in your luggage. To be on the safe side, mail your gifts instead. The U.S. Postal Service is usually the cheapest option.

If your traveling out of the country -- even to Mexico or Canada -- you need to bring a passport to get back in the U.S. And please remember not to pack your wallet, keys or cell phone in your checked luggage -- trust us.

3. Reserve a parking spot. Long-term parking lots fill up quickly over the holidays, so make reservations as soon as possible. Planning ahead also gives you time to search online for coupons and promotions. Check out LongTermParking.com for discounts.

4. Arrive early. Airlines are notorious for overbooking. The earlier you check-in and get your boarding pass, the less likely you are to get bumped from your flight. See Win the Bumping Game to learn more about your rights as a passenger. Plus, arriving early will give you time to navigate the parking lot and make your way through crowded security checkpoints.

5. Bypass the check-in line. Most major airlines have self-check-in kiosks, which, from our experience, rarely have a line. If you have purchased a ticket online, you can use a self-service machine at the airport to verify your ID (bring the credit card you used to book the tickets), check in, get a seat assignment and print a boarding pass. And many airlines even have a live attendant on-hand to assist you in checking luggage.

We're also fans of checking bags at the curb with the skycap. But you'll have to pay extra -- typically $2 to $5 per bag. Kiosks are free. Now if only there was a way to bypass the mile-long security line ...

6. Breeze through security. Sorry, you can't skip this line altogether, but you can keep things moving and make sure you don't get hung up here by being prepared. Before you reach the front of the line, take off your coat and shoes. Remove children from strollers and carriers. And if the security checkpoint will cut you off from airport shops and eateries, make sure you have all the sustenance you need so you won't have to go through the line again.

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