If you’re a regular subscriber, you know that. If you’re brand new here, perhaps signing up after reading this NYT Times article, welcome!
We contributed a few tips to the article about saving time and money at airports. If you can’t open the article from our shared link, here are some of our tips:
Save on food at the airport
Buying a meal, or even a coffee and a muffin, at an airport can get pricey. Fast.
Bringing your sandwiches and snacks from home is always an option. Just be sure what you pack is TSA-compliant.
If you can’t bring your own, however, one strategy we use to keep prices down is creating a meal out of appetizers, or kid-sized meals and portions purchased in food courts.
Get power. Or bring it.
Power outlets and charging stations are far more available at airports than they used to be. Thank goodness for that.
But chances are there won’t be a plug available when you really need it. We carry a small multi-outlet cord so we can ask to share an outlet another traveler may be using. That cord often comes in handy in hotel rooms without adequate outlets as well.
And, we’ve learned to always check that those powered banks of airport seats are plugged in before settling in to work.
Pack some mad money
When times get tough at the airport, a treat can help.
For those occasions, we keep $30 cash ( it used to be $20…) tucked in the ‘secret’ part of our wallet to buy a decadent dessert, a cocktail, a book or a silly souvenir.
Doing it with cash is key. The treat can go a long way to making you feel better in the moment and won’t show up on the credit card bill later to remind you of that stressful time.
Stay tuned to Stuck at the Airport for more tips and news about airports and other adventures.
On Friday morning (June 21), from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Southwest passengers traveling to and from Denver Airport will be treated to a class in country dancing. If you’re passing through, mosey on over and join in.
SEA airport says “pay attention, gentle readers”
Have you been watching Bridgerton? Evidently the social media team at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has. Their feed is currently full of Bridgerton-themed travel tips. And they’re very charming.
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 20, 2024
Our completed Upgrade SEA projects are dazzling indeed. This author reminds you that construction is evident, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔, at SEA. Do promenade to the south end skybridges & doors/exits to steer clear of crowded thoroughfares. pic.twitter.com/0mkBQnuLDl
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 20, 2024
Surely you did not think you could arrive late and still make your voyage on time. You must make haste and arrive two hours before your flight. pic.twitter.com/vNmH0FTRj4
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 20, 2024
Dearest Gentle Passengers, it is of great importance that you secure your place in the TSA queue with utmost haste. Do enlist in SEA Spot Saver. pic.twitter.com/XSu6XieSlG
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 20, 2024
We do hope you will consider alternatives for arriving at the airport. We hear good things about 𝖈𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖌𝖊𝖘, public transit, Link light rail, taxi, ride share options, shuttles, and airporters. pic.twitter.com/3Q9PIQ0zv6
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 20, 2024
It is no laughing matter. Must we remind you to switch it up in order to speed it up. During the most bustling hours, one should utilize the Lower Arrivals Drive for all drop-offs and the Upper Departures Drive to pick up. pic.twitter.com/FR8u02FnhO
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 21, 2024
Finding out your traveling companions are not in fact members of an expedited travel program such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. Do make haste and secure a booking through SEA Spot Saver. pic.twitter.com/1lK7K2EUAg
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) June 21, 2024
Fort Wayne Int’l Airport celebrates passengers with food treats
Year-round, Hospitality Hosts at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) welcome passengers with a (wrapped) cookie from a nearby bakery. But this week, during Customer Appreciation Week, the airport has been going above and beyond by treating passengers to a different free, fun food each day.
So far, they’ve hosted a popcorn bar, a caramel apple bar, a hot dog bar, and a walking taco bar- with all manner of toppings.
What’s on the menu for Friday?
A coffee and hot chocolate bar with all the creamers, syrups, and toppings that passengers might want to mix and match with their drinks.
If you’re heading to PHL, be sure to study the wide range of menu offerings before you arrive at the terminal. While tax is not included in this offer, a Pepsi beverage is.
Just in time for Halloween – Gargoyles back at DEN Airport
Since 1995, two bronze gargoyles sitting inside suitcases have been on guard in the east and west bag claim areas at Denver International Airport (DEN) trying their best to help baggage arrive safely.
The gargoyles make up an art piece by Terry Allen called “Notre Denver.”
And due to construction in the airport’s Great Hall, one of the gargoyles has been in storage.
Now both gargoyles are back on duty. And we’re hoping that someday the chatty gargoyle (see video below) will return to the airport as well.
Planning 2024 Travel? This Lonely Planet’s list may help.
The world is a big place and it can be overwhelming choosing your next adventure. That’s why the “where to go” lists put out by all sorts of publications and groups can be helpful.
Lonely Planet is early out of the gates for 2024 with its “Best in Travel 2024” list of suggestions across five key categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations, and best-value locations.
Each category features 10 destinations chosen for their topicality, unique experiences, ‘wow’ factor, and ongoing commitment to sustainability and community. Below is a summary chart of the ‘winners.’
Where have you been? And where would you like to go?
COUNTRY
REGION
CITY
SUSTAINABLE
VALUE
Mongolia
Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route
Nairobi, Kenya
Spain
The Midwest, USA
India
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Paris, France
Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
Poland
Morocco
Tuscany, Italy
Montreal, Canada
Greenland
Nicaragua
Chile
Donegal, Ireland
Mostar, Bosnia
Wales’ trails
Danube Limes, Bulgaria
Benin
País Vasco, Spain
Philadelphia, USA
The Portuguese Way / Caminho Português de Santiago
(This is a slightly different version of a story we wrote for NBC News online)
Summer travel may cause some headaches
Memorial Day weekend and a unusual travel season are just around the corner.
Experts expect a summer travel tsunami fueled by a dip in Covid-19 infection rates, rising vaccination rates, and the reopening of attractions, resorts, and other tourist destinations.
AA predicts that 34 million Americans will take road trips 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday, May 27-31. That is a 52 percent increase compared to last summer — although still about 9 percent below the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
More than three-quarters of Americans (77 percent) plan to take trips this summer, according to the latest results of a Harris Poll survey.
But with everyone rushing to go somewhere – anywhere – travelers may find their dream destinations hard to book or sold out already.
“Travelers should be aware that there is still limited supply, as airlines haven’t brought back fleets in full, there are hotels that haven’t opened or are at limited capacity, and car rental fleets are still reduced,” said Kelly Soderlund of travel management company TripActions. She advises travelers determined to hit the road this summer to book as arly as possible to avoid being disappointed by a lack of inventory or by high prices.
Here are some of the summer travel “hiccups” travelers may encounter — and some tips for how to handle them.
Gas prices were expected to flirt with $3 per gallon leading up to Memorial Day weekend. But last week’s shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline caused prices to spike weeks ahead of the holiday.
“Americans will still take their road trips,” says AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee, “They just may not travel as far as originally planned and may spend a little less.”
To save money on gas, make sure your car is tuned up and your tires are properly inflated, join gas station rewards programs, and download one or more gas price apps to your smartphone so you can compare prices on the road.
Crowded planes, high ticket prices
Right now, flights are 77 percent full on average, compared to 85 percent to 90 percent pre-pandemic, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “But hidden under that topline average is the fact that popular leisure flights to places like Hawaii and Florida are regularly seeing completely full planes. With Memorial Day such a popular time to travel, expect airports to be crowded and planes filled to capacity.”
While the dirt-cheap fares airlines floated during the pandemic are long gone, there is some good news for air travelers.
“Two new budget airlines, Avelo and Breeze, will introduce more low-fare seats and increase competition,” said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research. In addition, “United Airlines just announced it is adding more domestic flights, and Southwest is adding new flights between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.”
Long lines at security checkpoints
Passenger volumes continue to rise at airports across the country. In many airports, that means the return of long lines at security checkpoints.
JUST IN: @TSA screened 1,408,017 people at airport checkpoints yesterday, May 18. During the past 10 days, checkpoint throughput has ranged between1.3M and 1.8M, quite a swing. Tuesdays and Wednesdays see lightest volume. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays tend to be busiest.
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) May 19, 2021
“We are encouraging people to arrive at their airports early, like they were asked to do prior to the pandemic,” TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.
Expect longer lines at airports where the TSA is short-staffed and unable to open all checkpoints during the busiest times. Elsewhere, lines may stretch out because passengers who have not flown in the past year have rusty packing skills. In addition to finding a lot of oversize liquid containers in travelers’ carry-on bags, TSA officers are finding that many passengers are still forgetting to leave their firearms at home.
For a refresh on what can be put in carry-on bags, travelers can consult TSA’s “Can I Bring?” feature online and on the MyTSA app or tweet to @AskTSA.
High Hotel Rates
Have your heart set on a beach vacation? So does everyone else. So this summer is an especially good time to seek out hotels in secondary or alternative cities.
For example, Adit Damodaran, an economist at Hopper, a price comparison site, found that while hotels in Southeastern beach destinations, such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Galveston, Texas; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are booking up quickly, hotels in Florida towns with similar vibes — like Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach — are showing increased availability.
Elusive rental cars
During the pandemic, many car rental companies sold off big chunks of their fleets. Now, many Americans who hope to rent cars for summer road trips are finding cars unavailable or renting at a premium.
To increase your chances of finding a rental car for this summer’s vacation, Priceline and others suggest booking your car at the same time as, or even before, you book your flights, booking a travel bundle that includes a car rental, checking for cars at off-airport locations and exploring services such as Zipcar and peer-to-peer car-sharing programs.
Shifting protocols
This summer, “travelers researching a destination will need to pay attention to how that location is handling Covid protocols and what might be expected of you as a visitor to the community,” said Tori Middelstadt of Oregon’s Willamette Valley Visitors Association.
That includes noting and adhering to the rules about masking. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said fully vaccinated people can forgo wearing masks indoors and travel in the U.S. without getting tested before or after they travel.
But a federal rule not set to expire until Sept. 14 requires that masks be worn when traveling by air, rail, or bus. Cities, states, and individual businesses are still able to set their own rules.
The current unknowns of travel and the pressures around booking that first vacation in over a year understandably make many travelers anxious.
“There are just too many variables in play right now, from the basics, like availability, to the more complicated, like Covid-19 protocols. If you’re thinking about a summer trip, you need to move past the thinking part and swiftly get yourself to the booking process,” said Erika Richter of the American Society of Travel Advisors.
If you are traveling over the Thanksgiving weekend, please be careful.
And keep in mind the millions of times you’ve been reminded and, more recently, begged to wash your hands, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from others.
Those really aren’t tips. This Thanksgiving, they’re essential travel tools.
To help you remember. We’re sharing this Thanksgiving-appropriate distance measuring sticker. It comes to us courtesy of the San Jose International Airport (SJC).
Resolved to travel more in 2020? Experts offer tips on
where and when to go.
If you plan to travel to more charming and culturally diverse destinations in the new year, this story should come in handy.
For CNBC, we reviewed a handful of the many “Best places to go” lists issued this time of year and asked travel industry experts for advice on the best times and reasons to visit certain cities.
When to go
Your vacations may be ruled by school vacations and crunch
times at work, but, “If budget is
your number one priority for travel in 2020, it behooves you to consider flying
in winter months as nearly all major US cities boast their lowest median
booking price in either January or February,” said Kelly Sunderland, travel
trends expert for travel site Hipmunk.
Where to go
The mighty fortress of Festung Hohensalzburg overlooks the city. Getty Images.
On its Best in Travel 2020 list, Lonely Planet picked Salzburg, Austria
as the number-one city to visit next year, ranking Washington, DC second and
Cairo, Egypt third.
“The Salzburg
Festival [July 18 –
August 30] is turning 100, and this heart-stealer of an Alpine city is singing
about it at the top of its voice,” said Lonely Planet writer Kerry Walker, “One
of the world’s greatest classical music shindigs, the festival is always a
riotous feast of opera, classical music and drama–and never more so than in
2020.”
Bhutan topped Lonely Planet’s list of countries to
visit in 2020, with England in second place and North Macedonia in third.
“A dozen nations vie for the title of real-life Shangri-La,
but Bhutan’s
claim has more clout than most,” said Lonely Planet writer Joe Bindloss, “This tiny piece of Himalayan paradise operates a strict
‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism policy, compelling travelers to pay a high
daily fee [$250] just to set foot in its pine-scented, monastery-crowned hills.”
Bhutan also topped the Rough Guides
list of the 4
Best Countries to visit in 2020, followed by Ethiopia, Austria (where
Vienna will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of
Beethoven) and Montenegro.
Luxe travel
In its 2020 Luxe Report, global luxury travel network Virtuoso shares trends already influencing bookings for next year.
Courtesy Virtuoso
“Italy continues its reign as the global favorite, as well as
the top spot for solo travelers,” the report notes, “while Croatia heads the
list of emerging destinations, attracting buzz due to the Game-of-Thrones
effect as well as its rich history and convenience to other major European
hubs.”
In Virtuoso’s survey, Antarctica takes the top spot for adventure travel in 2020, with Greece showing up as the top destinations for Millennials as well as second on the global destinations list and a third-place for honeymoons.
2020 also marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. Events are planned in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States.
In Plymouth, MA, “Plimoth Plantation is actually a
really fun experience, with or without kids,” said Lindsay Taylor-Lauer of Takfiri
Travel, a Virtuoso Agency, “And in New England there is something for everyone
to do and explore, from the Azorean Restaurant in Gloucester, MA to the gilded
mansions in Newport, Rhode Island and minkes [whales] popping from the water as
you ferry from Dennis Port to Martha’s Vineyard on Cape Cod.”
52+ more options to consider
Fodor’s Travel put together a Go List for 2020 that includes 52
places.
Destinations topping the list in the United States
and Canada are Athens, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; and Newfoundland,
Canada. Sicily’s Aeolian Islands top the list for destinations to head for in
Europe, followed by Albania and Andalusia, in the southern part of Spain.
Destinations are broken down by region (Africa/Middle East,
Asia, South America, etc.) and, as a nice bonus, there is also a Go List 2020
playlist on Spotify to help you get in the travel-planning mood.
For its Best
Trips 2020 list, National Geographic picked 25 must-see destinations and travel
experiences.
On the list: Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, which celebrated its
centennial in 2019, and Philadelphia, PA, described as “an American classic” reinventing
itself for a new generation in much the same way Detroit, Cleveland and
Cincinnati have been doing, “but better.” National Geographic’s Best Trips list
also suggests Tasmania, Australia and Southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert, one of
the world’s few International Dark Sky Sanctuaries.
Events to travel for
January 16 marks the 100th
anniversary of the start of prohibition in the United States, so 2020 may be a
good time to visit the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown,
Kentucky and to travel along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
And if a trip to Japan has been on your list for a while, keep in the mind that the 2020 Summer Olympics take place in Tokyo this year from July 24 through August 9 and there will be packages and tours heading that way.
Where are upscale Americans spending their travel dollars?
Should you do what they do?
Wealthy or not,
it’s good to know where the well-do-to are vacationing and where the
up-and-coming “it” destinations will be for the next few seasons.
A shortcut to that intel comes from the advisors
who consult with upscale Americans about their vacation goals and bucket lists
and then book those journeys.
So where are well-to-do Americans jetting off to? Here’s a story I put together recently for CNBC.
Global luxury travel network Virtuoso polled
advisors, crunched numbers from $49.5 billion in bookings and transactions for
September through December 2019 and shared a couple of Top 10 lists as well as insights
on some emerging travel trends.
The Top 10 destinations
“Americans
increasingly choose to travel domestically for the holidays,” notes Virtuoso,
which puts the United States, with its vast array of destinations and
attractions, in the lead spot in the Top 10 list.
As it has in the past, Europe’s appeal as a
summer destination is extending into the fall this year, with destinations such
as Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain in spots 2, 3, 4, 8 and
10, respectively, on the Top 10 list.
South Africa and Israel, in the middle of the
list, at #5 and #6, remain popular destinations for families seeking “trips of
a lifetime” during the holiday season, according to Virtuoso. And Japan, the top
emerging “it” country in Virtuoso’s 2019 Luxe Report, takes its place on the Top
10 list of fall and holiday season destinations at #9.
Luxury leisure travel bookings being made by advisors in the
Ovation Travel Group for 2019 and 2020 seem to be following those trends, said Gina
Gabbard, Ovation’s Senior Vice President of Leisure & Independent Advisors.
“Italy is overwhelmingly the hands-down favorite among
international destinations, with increased interest now in Southern Italy,”
said Gabbard, “Our advisors note its amazing food and wine, culture and
diversity of things to do, including history and art, along with available luxury
accommodations. Direct flights from the U.S. are a plus.”
Despite concerns about Brexit, bookings to the United Kingdom
are holding their own, said Gabbard, “The added benefit to our clients is that
the value of the U.S. dollar is so strong against the pound.”
Virtuoso’s Hot 10 list
Virtuoso also shared its “Hot 10” list, which
is made up of countries experiencing the largest increases by percentage in
year-over-year bookings. In some cases, the increases come from a country and
its offerings being “discovered” or better promoted; in other cases, political
fears may be subsiding.
For September through December 2019, the list
is topped by Uruguay (up 286 percent), which Virtuoso attributes to the
country’s award-winning wineries, pleasant climate and adventure opportunities.
Bookings are also way up for travel to the beach
retreats of the Maldives (up 171 percent) as well as Malta (up 140 percent),
Romania (135 percent) and Egypt (up 122 percent). Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Qatar,
South Korea and the fjords of Norway (up 96 percent) round out the “Hot 10”
list.
Where are upscale Americans staying?
“We’re seeing a rise in exclusive-use travel
as people look for the ultimate in privacy and seclusion while getting away
from it all,” said Misty Belles, Virtuoso’s managing director for Global Public
Relations, “Home rentals, from villas to condos, jumped 56 percent this year,
with millennials and multigenerational trips both contributing to the growing
popularity in residences.”
Belles says private yacht travel is also gathering momentum
as people look to escape crowds and explore smaller, lesser-known ports of
call.
When it comes to hotel
stays, Becky Powell, President of Virtuoso-member Protravel International, says
hyper-personalized stays are in.
“Increasingly, hotels
are using technology to connect and build relationships with guests and
instantly fix issues,” says Powell. Hotels are also focusing on sustainability
and emphasizing connections to the destination or city they are in with local
partnerships and unique experiences, she said.
Upscale travelers and overtourism
Lots of stories about overtourism have been in then news, “But
now we are seeing it translate into client conversations and influence
decisions,” said Jack Ezon, founder of Virtuoso member Embark, “Our clients
want to feel like travelers, not tourists. And no matter how wealthy they are,
they don’t want to see a Prada or Gucci on every corner,” he said.
Instead, Ezon says upscale travelers are increasingly seeking out charming and “new” secondary destinations, staying in neighborhoods beyond the popular city centers and traveling during the off or shoulder-seasons not to save money, but to have more of the city to themselves.
Have a destination you’d like to tell us about? Please share your tips in the comment section below.
It is a stay at home holiday for some people today. But a travel day for millions. At that means some people will end up stuck at the airport.
It can happen anytime, of course. But as the busy summer travel season kicks into gear, I’ve been asked to work up some airport travel tips for the Weather Chanel audience.
Here are my notes for my appearance, currently scheduled for early Tuesday. Please feel free to add your notes too.
Practice. Seems silly, but often in the rush to get to the airport we forget that we’ll have to partially unpack at the security checkpoint.
Make sure you’re wearing socks without holes, shoes that are easy to take off and put back on. And have your potions and lotions and electronic gear easiy accessible in your carry-on bag.
Leave your guns at home.
TSA finds about 100 guns – most loaded – at checkpoints each week. I’ve given up wondering why people need so many guns. But if you carry a gun around town, check to see that you’ve taken it out of your purse or briefcase before you head to the airport.
Don’t miss the fun.
Look at the “passenger amenities” or “services” section of the airport website. (And subscribe to StuckatTheAirport.com).
Many airports have art or history exhibits, a unique shop or restuarant, even a special observation deck you may miss if you just get to the airport and stick by your gate.
Bring a wide mouth refillable water bottle. You don’t have to buy an overpriced bottle of water. More and more airports have bottle refill stations. Spend your money on something else.
Charge your phones and gadgets before you leave home.
Yes – there are more outlets in more places in airports. But someone else always seems to be using them when you’ need them.
And often they don’t even work. (Expert tip: check to see if that bank of chairs with outlets is plugged in before you use a chair outlet.)
To be a hero bring along a power cord with extra plugs so others can share.
Check to see if there are mobile apps – such as GRAB – you can use to order food ahead that you can just pick put at airport restaurant instead of waiting in line.
An increasing number of airports have At Your Gate and Airport Sherpa – which allow you to order food (and even neck pillows) and have the order delivered to you anywhere in the airport.
Bring snacks. You never know when you’re going to be delayed at the airport. Having something in your bag will keep you from getting cranky and from overspending at the airport and on the airplane, where free snacks can be limited or non-existent.
Shortcut the customs and immigration line.
If you’re traveling out of the country and don’t have Global Entry (a paid program) download the free Mobile Passport app for when you’re coming back through customs.
Either program allows you to shortcut your way through that often very long customs line. Look for the signs or ask the folks stationed along the lines for where to go as the Mobile Passport sign is often not easy to spot.
The Mobile Passport app lets you answer the customs questions on your phone before you even leave the plane and sometimes you can breeze right by the folks who have to wait on a line to fill out those questions at the Global Entry kiosk. Hah!
Bring mad money.
I carry a $10 bill – sometimes $20 – to use as mad money in case I end up stuck somewhere mad and frustrated. I buy myself a treat; a cocktail, some candy, an overpriced coffee drink, a silly souvenir. I deserve it.
Have a tip to add to this list? Please include it in the comments sections below.
Flying somewhere this Thanksgiving? Here are tips to keep sane.
A lot of turkey wishbones – and travel records – are set to be broken during the Thanksgiving holiday this year.
AAA expects 54.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the holiday, a 4.8 percent increase over last year and the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005.
For the 48.5 million Americans expected to travel by car over the holiday, the best advice is: leave early. INRIX, a global mobility analytics company, predicts that in the country’s most congested cities the Thanksgiving drive over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house could take four times longer than it might on a ‘normal’ travel day.
Traffic at airports and in the skies will break records as well.
For the holiday period, which officially begins Wednesday, November 21 and runs through Sunday, November 25, the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 25 million people at U.S. airports, a 7 percent increase over last year.
Looking a bit broader at the 12-day Thanksgiving air travel period already underway, Airlines for America (the airline trade organization) predicts a record 30.6 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines.
That’s up from the estimated 29 million passengers who flew during Thanksgiving last year.
Flying over Thanksgiving? Travel tips for the airport
As with driving or going anywhere over the holiday, the key advice for flying is: leave for the airport early.
That not only helps reduce stress, but builds in extra time for all those things that can go wrong, such as discovering your favorite airport parking lot is already filled up or there’s a hiccup with your airline ticket.
Transportation Security Administration officials say new screening technologies, coupled with an additional 80 passenger screening canine teams and more than 1,200 TSA officers will help with the increased volume of passengers at airport security checkpoints this year. But there may still be long, slow-moving lines at many airports.
To make sure you’re not the person holding up the line, take some extra time when prepping and packing to make sure your carry-on items are checkpoint-savvy.
*Dress for success: Transfer small items, such as wallets, phones and keys, from your pockets to your carry-on before you get to the checkpoint. Wear shoes or boots that are easy to take off and put back on.
*Download and print your boarding pass. Putting your boarding pass on your mobile phone means one less paper to keep track of. But a paper version is good back-up in case your phone loses its charge while you’re waiting on a long line, or if the checkpoint scanner can’t read the downloaded version of your pass.
*Review the rules. If you’re an infrequent traveler, find a quart-sized clear bag and take a moment to read TSA’s primer on the liquids rule.
If you’re traveling with food to eat during your journey or with a turkey or something else destined for the Thanksgiving table, you will likely be asked to take it out of your bag and put it in a separate bin for a ride through the x-ray machine.
TSA allows turkeys, turkey sandwiches, pies cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints, but foodstuffs that are liquid, such as jellies and cranberry sauce, need to travel in checked bags.
Unsure if your food it a liquid or gel? TSA’s “What can I bring” tool, available on line and as an app, can help and you can send a question about a specific item to @AskTSA on Twitter.
Here are some other tools and tips that might help smooth out your Thanksgiving flying journey.
*Charge up your phone and other travel gadgets, including one or more back-up chargers, before you leave home. While airports have added more power ports, finding an empty one can still be a challenge. Show up with a power cord with extra plugs, and you’ll be a hero.
*Download the apps for your airline and all airports you’re traveling through and sign up for the alerts for each of your flights.
*Get numbers. Make a list of all the phone numbers you might need for your trip. The list should include not only your airline, but also the rental car or shuttle company you’ve booked with, your hotel, the person picking you up and the person who dropped you off (in case you left something behind). Put those numbers in your phone and on paper.
*Pack extras. Bring along snacks, a hefty amount of patience, and your sense of humor. Add a stash of ‘mad money’ to your wallet. That way, if something goes wrong despite all your planning and preparation you’ll be prepared to buy yourself or your family a stress-busting treat.
Space pens ready? We have travel tips from astronauts.
Courtesy NASA
In June I had the great honor of gathering travel tips and other advice from astronauts during a week-long voyage with astronauts and other space-minded people on the Viking Orion, the Viking Cruise line’s newest ship.
The Orion is named after the prominent Orion constellation and has at its ceremonial godmother, American chemist, emergency room physician and retired NASA astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher. As the guest of honor on the cruise Fisher was able to invite dozens of her friends along for the ship’s maiden voyage.
Anna Fisher – ceremonial godmother for the Viking Orion cruise ship.
Travel tips from astronauts
On the ship, I chatted many former astronauts and NASA employees about what it was like to be one of the 550 or so people who have been in space.
Among my questions: What does space travel teach you about being a traveler on earth?
“There are many endeavors in this world that would be much better executed if people kept checklists,” said Frederick (Rick) Hauck, a former NASA astronaut who piloted and commanded several Space Shuttle missions, “I have one I refer to every time I travel.”
Don’t pack too much and be ready for anything
Charles Walker, who flew on three Space Shuttle missions and was the first non-government individual to fly in space, suggests travelers keep in mind what may be available at their destinations.
“Both volume and weight are critical for both space travel and terrestrial travel,” said Walker, “Pack lightly.” Keeping a composed attitude is helpful as well. “Be open to what’s around you,” said Walker, “And try to be mentally ready to take in anything and react to it in a calm fashion.”
Get along
Jay Honeycutt, former Director of the NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, said his years of observing astronauts and training them for space travel taught him that successful travelers are those who are comfortable with all sorts of people and those who are willing to pitch in when needed.
“Learn to do your fair share of the work that has to be done to make the trip successful and safe,” said Honeycutt, “And make sure you always have some fun.”
Be sure to take in the sights
“In space, you can look out the window and really get to know earth,” said veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, (The Artistic Astronaut), whose was on two spaceflights and spent 104 days living and working in space.
Stott says while space travelers get unique views, there are plenty of awe-inspiring sights here on earth.
“You can go three miles down the road, go to the top of a building, get on a boat or on an airplane and get a new perspective on who you are,” said Stott, who is always disappointed when fellow airplane passengers go straight to the movies, to work or to sleep.
“It’s important to be awake and experience the journey,” said Stott, “And to be surprised by what you can see and feel along the way.”
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