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What You Can Do to Survive the Air Travel Rush
Brace yourselves, this air travel season promises big changes.
Air reservations are up 6% for the season and flights are 90% booked; compound this with the year's worst record for on-time departures and arrivals and news that airport security tests reveal that bomb making materials can still get past screening after billions have been spent on securing air travel and you have the potential for a real air travel mess.
If you're one of the 48-million air travelers this holiday season there is GOOD NEWS! President Bush on Thursday ordered measures that will help ease congested air traffic during the holidays and severally punish airlines for stranding passengers on runways for hours, increasing monetary fines to airlines for habitual delayed flights and doubling the compensation fees (currently at $200-$400, increased to $400-$800) paid to passengers bumped from over booked flights.
The Pentagon is working to help increase air traffic control efficiency by opening up restricted air space from Maine to Miami to allow use by commercial air carriers that until now has been off-limits since 9/11. No one wants a repeat of last year's dreadful winter travel season so all travel related departments and authorities: FAA, Department of Transportation, TSA, and the House Transportation Committee are currently working on ways to shore-up an out-dated, understaffed, over-crowded, riddled-with-problems air transportation industry. The Bad news is that many of these proposed measures are perhaps coming too late to have any real effect on the "Turkey Day" and "Winter-holiday" travelers.
So what can you do to avoid the travel rush?
Besides not traveling now...
Getting to & through the airport:
Travel day is usually stress-filled enough so consider other ways to avoid driving and airport parking.
As a novice traveler (some 30 plus years ago - I started very young!) I recall a coming home, after a fabulous 2 week vacation in Hawaii, to a harsh Michigan winter storm, clad in tropical weight clothing, to our airport parked car, where we left our winter coats in the trunk. As the shuttle departed and left us to hike the ice and hard packed 12-inch snow covered lot to our car, I dreaded the decision I made to wear sandals (okay, I said I was a novice). Half frozen and feeling really stupid, things just got worse as we approached our frozen automobile. It was completely frozen in place and 2 inches of solid ice blocked us from our winter coats! The doors, windows and, of course, trunk lid were frozen shut - it looked as if the only way in was with a flame-thrower. As we pondered our predicament, a fellow traveler who fared better gave us a ride back to the warm shelter of the terminal. We hailed a cab to take us the 45 miles home. We'd deal with the car come spring! As Michigan winters go, the next day it had warmed; now rested and properly clothed we set out with tools to liberate our car, with its dead battery and all!
Perhaps the soundest advice is the famous, Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared." Consider the factors you can't control, such as the unpredictable flight day weather, traffic jams, overcrowded high price airport parking, plus airline delays, and manage your schedule to allow yourself huge amount of extra time to , get through baggage check-in, security screening and boarding.
Travel experts predicate missing your flight during peak holiday times will likely mean you missed your trip! Airlines are 90% booked this winter, so it's very LIKELY you WON'T be able to get another flight soon. It will probably be a matter of DAYS before another accommodating flight opens up. Don't wait for the airline to reschedule you, immediatly start calling (yes, calling) reservations to see what is available.
Check your trip insurance policies for coverage on missed flights due to weather, tardiness or bumped due to over booking. See our travel insurance section.
Give yourself a big enough time cushion, at least 45 minutes earlier then the suggested airport arrival time -- heck, you're awake anyway!
If your commute to the airport is longer than 2 hours (especially in areas with winter weather conditions) - arrange to spend the night before in a near-the-airport hotel. Most airport neighboring hotels have reasonable park-and-ride programs. These programs vary but most allow travelers to park their cars often at no or low cost in their lots, provide a continental breakfast, and door-to-door transportation to and from the terminal, for the price of the hotel room.
Consider alternative ground transportation to the airport: park and ride, public transportation, door-to-door airport shuttles, and taxis. Many of these alternatives require reservations so book early, check prices as they vary widely. Avoid the multi-stop pick-up shuttles.
Check into cheaper parking options at off-airport lots and make reservations.
Pre-arrange seating as soon as possible and print boarding pass from Airline Websites when ever possible.
More on Air Travel:- Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-on liquids: (3)ounce containers kept in a (1) quart plastic bag, (1) bag per person. Exceptions: prescription medicine and non prescription liquids if they are required during flight.
- Take the correct identification: best - a passport, but a government issued ID with your picture is ok too (e. g. driver's license).
- Check in on line and print your boarding passes at home if possible.
- Luggage Services If you can afford it, send your luggage ahead via a variety of delivery services for luggage, skis, golf clubs, bicycles, etc. Of course there is UPS and FedEx but others have emerged. Try The Luggage Club; 1-877-231-5131, and Sports Express; 1-800-357-4174).
- For those things that you cannot be without such as prescription drugs, glasses, money and ID, tickets, and contact numbers, pack in your carry-on. I even take an extra pair of underwear, shirt and pants (based on experience). Lost luggage that they find can take a day or longer to reach you.
- Send your gifts, don't take them aboard. But if you must carry them on, don't wrap them.
- Use TSA approved locks and locking straps for all checked luggage. Use the locking straps on bags that cannot accommodate the little pad locks. Otherwise TSA agents will break non-TSA locks to inspect checked luggage. Find TSA locks and straps.
- Get to Baggage Claim quickly. Use brightly colored straps and/or luggage tags to help quickly identify bags coming off the carousel. Some airports have no baggage security personnel so bags can get stolen easily. Go to for these items.
- TSA passenger security lines get grid locked during holiday travel. Don't wait after checking luggage to go through security. It can take much longer at this holiday time. Go through early and eat a meal, read a book, and relax. That way you will be there for gate check in and avoid the possibility of being late for check in and getting bumped. Airlines are increasingly over booking. You might even be able to switch to a better seat.
- If you tend to be chilly, take a blanket and pillow. You don't want to know how the airline blankets are used by others and airlines don't have pillows any more. For travel pillows, and blankets.
- Avoid rummaging around in your bags at security or at customs by packing small items in transparent packing bags.
- Use an ID/Boarding Pass Holder around your neck to keep all papers for security checks and gate check-in together and handy. This frees up your hands for everything else you must do.
- Watch the baggage weight limits with our compact luggage scale. Airlines have been lowering the limits for "overweight" bags and raising the fees (through the roof!!).
- Many more at air travel tips.
- Check out your vehicle carefully before. Check tires including the spare, fluid levels, and hose connections. Equip yourself with an emergency car kit.
- Also check child seats carefully. Be sure they are installed correctly. Unless they are properly installed they will offer no protection for the little ones.
- Bring pillows, blankets, snacks and drinks. Also an empty coffee can in case Dad won't stop.
- Take frequent stops to avoid driving while drowsy. Stop, get out, and walk around in fresh air. On many highways, the rest stops offer free coffee to long distance drivers on peak travel days.
- Take fully charged cell phones along.
- Check out our assortment of handy and space-saving car organizer products.
Remember this is a vacation so take it easy, try not to get stressed, don't sweat the small stuff (it's all small stuff). Give yourself lots of time and expect the unexpected.
And above all, have a wonderful holiday season!
From your friends at Christine Columbus, Inc.
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Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.
Cheers,
Annette
President & Co-founder
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