Holiday Travel Tips

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It’s here! One of the busiest travel days all year, the day before Thanksgiving! Everyone’s hitting the road, jumping on the rail or taking off to be with friends and family. This means, even those that don’t travel often — are probably traveling. Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Flying
  • Pack carefully! Remember that most airlines charge for checked bags (and Spirit Airlines charges for carry-ons too!) so don’t overpack and check more bags than you need. But, don’t think its okay to shove the turkey in your checked luggage either, be careful of those luggage overweight fees.
  • Keep your eyes on http://fly.faa.gov - it’s flight delay information straight from the Air Traffic Control Command Center. If an airport is closed or delayed for any reason (weather, traffic management, etc.) it’ll be posted here.
  • Security lines will be longer than usual, that’s for sure. But, did you know there’s an app for that? Yep!MyTSA will inform you of security wait times, airport delays (once again, not airline specific) and even allow you to search: “Can I bring ______through the checkpoint?” (and yes, you can bring pie!)
  • Remember proper Jetiquette.Treat each traveler as you would like to be treated. Give in to the arm rest war, bring ear plugs for other passengers if you’re traveling with a small child, etc. Don’t be a travel faux pas!
• Driving
  • The roads are going to be jammed, so be prepared. Though you’re heading out to dinner if you live in a big metropolis like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles pack some snacks for the car. Never underestimate traffic, you may end up stuck in it for a while.
  • Bring something to keep everyone in the car occupied while your drive. Portable DVD players, music players, games, etc. Keeping the kids focused on something will keep you focused on the road.
  • Time to fill up! Find a cheap gas station with GasBuddy, a website and phone app to help you find the cheapest gas based on your area.
• Rail
  • Did you know that college students, seniors, military members, veterans and AAA members all receive discounts if they ride Amtrak? No? Well, you do now.
  • Just like planes, trains can be delayed because of weather and other factors too. Check AmTrak.com for updates and subscribe to delay notifications.
  • Usually the Pacific Surfliner (within California) and Keystone  (New York/Philadelphia/Harrisburg) trains don’t have reserved seating (they usually just require a ticket to board), but from November 22-28th you need a reserved seat! Check out all of the other service alerts and changes for the holiday on their website.

Now, don’t just think that the day before Thanksgiving is going to be a bit crazy, remember; everyone going somewhere for the holiday has to go home eventually. The week ahead is sure to be trying for those venturing out but the best advice is: don’t stress. Don’t stress! Leave plenty of time to get to and from your destination, have a bit of cash on your person in case of an emergency, have your cell phone charged and relax. Don’t forget to the enjoy the holiday, the turkey, and your nap afterwards.