Flying Over Thanksgiving Weekend?
By Wendy Perrin
I'm sure I don't need to tell you that tomorrow (the Wednesday before Thanksgiving), Sunday, and Monday are three of the most hellish air-travel days of the year. Here's how to expedite your trip and minimize the hassle caused by the sheer numbers of people (especially inexperienced travelers) moving through airports . . .
1. Check in online.
This means printing your boarding pass at home. It will allow you to skip the check-in line if you're not checking luggage.
2. Checking luggage? Do it curbside.
The lines are usually shorter.
3. Lessen the chance your checked luggage could get lost.
The
number of bags misplaced by U.S. airlines has increased drastically
since August (when the new carry-on restrictions began, forcing more
people to check luggage). So make sure a card with your home address
and phone number, as well as the address and phone number at your
destination, is securely attached to the outside of your bag and also
taped on the inside (in case the outside tag gets ripped off). Look at
the destination tag that the airline agent attaches to your luggage --
the tag with the 3-digit airport code -- to make sure it's correct.
Could your bag easily be confused with other people's on the baggage
carousel (say it's a common-looking black suitcase)? If so, tie a
colored ribbon around the handle or otherwise mark it so that nobody at
the carousel could confuse it for theirs.
4. Follow the exact rules for carrying onboard liquids, creams, gels, pastes, aerosols.
Carry them in containers no larger than 3 ounces, with all containers fitting inside 1 quart-size plastic zip-top bag. Click here for the T.S.A.'s rules.
5. Don't wrap gifts.
Wait till you're at your destination to wrap them. Otherwise they could get opened by security screeners.
6. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily.
This speeds your passage through security.
Good luck, and Happy Thanksgiving!













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