Beefed up security checks and every-seat-filled airplanes can make it stressful to get to the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica or Nepal – or even to Grandma’s house. Here’s how to stay sane:
Check in before going to the airport. Most airlines allow passengers to check in online up to 24 hours before, and until 90 minutes before departure. Select your seats and print your boarding passes from your computer. If you are not checking luggage, you can proceed directly to security and your gate.
If you are checking baggage, best best is to use the curbside attendant, who can also give you a boarding pass. It will cost you a tip – at least $1 per bag – consider that the price of not having to stand on line inside the terminal. Or, use the Self-Service Check-In kiosks – just swipe your credit card to identify you, punch in your flight and the number of bags and out pops a boarding pass.
Be aware of excess, oversize and overweight baggage rules, especially important if you are taking adventure travel gear for scuba diving, camping, skiing or biking. Rules vary by airline. Better to know before you arrive at the airport.
Remember the new rules about liquids. Nothing larger than three ounces is permitted as carry-on. You can check giant economy sizes of hair gel, toothpaste and make-up remover, but you can take only the itsy-bitsy sizes on your person through security.
Whatever liquids you carry on must be in a see-through plastic zip-top bag, and the bag must be put on the conveyor belt outside of your handbag, totebag or backpack, just like your computer. Many airports now give out these baggies – I’ve received them at Los Angeles, Phoenix and Frankfurt. But don’t depend on the airports – pack your own. Visit www.TSATravelTips.us for up-to-date security screening and general travel information, including prohibited items.
Avoid wrapping gifts before traveling. Carry them in their original, unopened packaging, and pack wrapping paper and tape separately. It will expedite screening in case something needs to be looked at more closely by the screeners.
Limit the amount of metal on your person. That includes aluminum foil wrapping the food you are carrying on because the airlines have pretty much stopped feeding us. Take the change out of your pockets, remember to remove your belt, and, especially shoes with metal tips or lace hooks. Lots of hiking boots have metal hooks for laces.
Finally, get to the airport early. The sheer numbers of travelers over the holidays, especially the ones who are clueless about new rules about carry-on liquids, will cause longer-than-usual lines.
