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Travelers Want to Know What To Expect This Holiday Season By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large November 2003 As if the holidays aren't stressful enough, now you have to worry about getting through the airport? Getting to the airport during the holidays can be just as much fun as getting through the airport. However, the good news is that it looks like the recent rush of travelers could signal the long-awaited rebound of the hospitality industry. To make your holiday travel go smoothly, remember to be prepared. Rule number one (and this never changes) is to pack extra patience. Rule number two is to give yourself lots of time, so you don't have to rush, rush, rush! Try to remember: 'tis the season of joy--you're supposed to be having fun! To help make that happen, remember the following. Baggage Basics: The rules have changed since last year's holiday season. One big change: if you’re packing too much stuff, it's going to cost you. Use the following as guidelines when heading out this holiday season: Most major airlines permit two checked bags that weigh under 50 pounds and are no larger than 62 linear inches. (Fifty pounds isn't as much as you'd think. Consider the size of a large bag of lawn fertilizer or two large bags of kitty litter for comparison.) Check with your carrier in advance to be sure about their specific weight and size limitations, otherwise you'll incur a fee for overage. Fees generally range from $25 to $100. Two carry-on items are permitted. Each must not exceed 40 pounds and 45 linear inches. They must be easily stowed under the seat in front of you or in overhead bins. Serenity now! Getting through security: While serenity is not a word most people would associate with airport security, being prepared ahead of time goes a long way toward a serene experience. This year the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confiscated over 5 million prohibited items--most of which were brought to the airport unwittingly. Don't get tripped up and slowed down. According to the TSA, passing through security serenely is up to you. I say it takes a bit of know-how from those more experienced, so here's some advice to follow: Pack carefully. If you don't travel often, think about items in your bags that may trip you up and slow you--and the line behind you--down. Stick with the "3-in-3" rule from the TSA that says "in, out, off." Geared towards families not accustomed to traveling, the rule informs travelers to take off all outerwear and shoes (for kids too) and place in bin on the belts. Also remember to take kids out of strollers and place the stroller on the belts, and have one bag that holds all your miscellaneous items, so you're ready and compact to get through security stealthily--like a business travel pro. Don't lock your bags, as they will likely be cut open. Instead, try one-time or disposable locks, which are cheap and expendable but will do the job to keep your bags closed while in transit. Doing the bump (or not): Full flights make getting bumped more likely, which means good news for opportunistic bargain hunters with time on their hands this season, but bad news for those of us desperate to get to our destinations. Here's what you need to know: With tighter budgets, airlines aren't as generous as in years past. Before you jump at the chance to give up your seat, find out what the next flight to your destination is and if it's the same route. Ask what the airlines are offering; usually it's a free flight voucher or a specific dollar amount to a future flight. (Be sure to ask if there are restrictions.) If you have the time and want to get bumped, let the flight attendants at the gate know that you are willing, so they may put you on the list. If you don't want to get bumped, your best bet is to get your seat confirmation early. More HO HO Holiday tips: Got a ton of frequent flier miles on hand? Not sure what you're waiting for? Give yourself the gift of an upgrade. Let's face it, you’ve been good this year (wink, wink) and it's never a good idea to stockpile your miles. Your family and friends will be even happier to see you if you're feeling relaxed and refreshed upon arrival. Board early--people tend to have a lot of baggage at holiday time and the space above you is precious. Film goes in your carryon, not checked baggage. Got precious cargo? Expensive gifts? Keep it with you rather than checking it. Pack plenty to do to make use of your airport wait time: write your holiday cards, organize your palm or filofax, deleting all those unwanted entries you never get around to. Take cards, a GameBoy, and a good paperback novel. Don't forget some snacks--you'll be glad to have them on many of the shorter domestic flights, which no longer serve much more than a beverage and a few puny pretzels. Make things easier on yourself by flying on alternate travel dates. For example, for Thanksgiving weekend, if you fly on Monday or Tuesday before and after the holiday, you can avoid the holiday madness. Plan to wrap all gifts at your destination, or better yet, ship them in advance. Driving Times: For those of you taking to the roads this season, remember that not everyone out there drives as well as you. AAA is predicting an increased number of holiday motorists. If you're one of them, remember that preparation is important in the car too. Drive defensively. Schedule stops and stretch (every two hours). Stay hydrated (juices and water are recommended). Take a charged cell phone with you. Be sure to pack your road map. The time to start preparing for holiday travel is now. So get cracking! And remember, a little planning, a sprinkle of common sense, and a pinch of added goodwill towards your fellow travelers will go a long way towards getting easy holiday travel right. If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at askamy@travelocity.com And remember to look here for your topic each week!

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