Between Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s, long-distance trips increase by 54 percent, and another 23 percent between Christmas and New Year’s alone, compared to the rest of the year. With this much coming and going, it’s really important to be prepared so that everyone arrives at their destinations safely and with as little stress as possible.
Statistics show that about 5 to 6 percent of holiday travel is by air, so let’s look at a few holiday traveling tips for surviving the flight.
Holiday traveling Tips for the Plane
• As best as possible, try to book your flights two or three days before and after the holiday, and book direct flights with no or few stopovers or connecting flights.
• Where possible, arrange for a friend to drop you off at the airport or take a shuttle.
• If you take your car, remember to hide all valuables and keep a set of booster cables in the trunk in the event your battery dies while you’re away.
• Call before you leave for the airport even if the weather is good to find out if there are any delays in departure or any of your connecting flights.
• Arrive early. “Domestic travelers should arrive ... two hours prior to departure ... international travelers should arrive three hours prior.” (TravelSense.org)
• Send your gifts ahead by courier or mail. If you’re taking gifts with you on the flight, make sure they’re unwrapped. Take gifts bags and tissue paper with you to wrap when you arrive at your destination.
• Be mentally prepared for setbacks, but maintain a positive attitude, and come prepared for boredom and delays.
• Remember the TSA 3-1-1 policy: “Liquids, aerosols and gels must be contained in three ounces or less; items must be put in a one quart, clear plastic zip-top bag; and, only one sip-top bag per passenger” (Transportation Security Administration).
• Know what items are on the TSA’s prohibited list to save time through check-in.
Holiday travel driving tips
Even though most of the travel tips are for air travelers, as mentioned only 5 to 6 percent of traveling during the holidays is done by air. Approximately 94 percent of the 42.2 million people traveling at least 50 miles during the holiday season will be driving, according to AAA. (CNNTravel)
Preparing for the trip should happen well in advance of the actual day:
• Give your car a thorough maintenance and mechanical assessment. Check tire wear and pressure (snow tires are recommended for travelling through snowy areas). Check and replace wiper blades if necessary.
Top up your windshield wiper fluid and make sure you have extra jugs in your trunk. Have the oil changed, and the brakes tested. Have battery levels checked, too. Check your turn and brake signals.
• Include an Emergency Road Kit in your trunk, particularly if you’re driving through snowy weather.
Your Emergency Road Kit should include: an “ice scraper, snow brush; sand, cat litter or traction mats; a small shovel; gloves, hats and blankets; flashlight with fresh batteries; shop rags or paper towels; jumper cables; warning flares or triangles; drinking water; non-perishable snack bars; warm clothes; first aid kit; basic hand tools; mobile phones (with important numbers already programmed, and charger.” (CNN Travel)
• Plan your route and find out the weather for the route you’ll be taking.
• Make sure your driving plan allows for delays, and take a break every 90 minutes or so if there is only one licensed driver in the vehicle.
• “Make a rule that nothing requiring a battery charge reside in the front of the car. Cell phones, MP3 players, DVD players, etc. they are all potential distractions ...” (CarConnection.com)
• Be considerate of others. “Keep your emotions in check and be mindful of others on the road. Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Merge with caution. Keep in the right lane unless passing ... show goodwill toward all.” (CarConnection.com)
Happy and Safe Travels to all!
Sources:
“Five Winter-Holiday Driving Tips from a Million-Miler” by Bengt Halvorson. The Car Connection. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1051555_five-winter-holiday-driving-tips-from-a-million-miler
“8 Holiday Driving Tips: Think before you Hit the Road” by Jeff Sabatini, managing editor AOL Autos. AOL Autos. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://autos.aol.com/article/holiday-driving-safety-tips
Holiday Travel. TravelSense.org. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://www.travelsense.org/tips/holidaytravel.cfm
TSA Holiday 3-1-1 Tips. Transportation Security Administration. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://www.tsa.gov/311/311-holiday.shtm
U.S. Holiday Travel. Research and Innovative Technology Administration Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://www.bts.gov/publications/america_on_the_go/us_holiday_travel/html/entire.html
“Holiday driving tips to help hit the road” by Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN. CNN Travel. Web. Nov 28, 2011. http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-23/travel/holiday.driving.tips_1_aaa-estimates-cell-phone-kit?_s=PM:TRAVEL
Edited by Jody Smith