Traveling during the holidays is not something most people look forward to. The end result of seeing your family and loved ones is enough to prevent apathy from taking over and forcing you to spend a quiet Christmas Eve in the office, but that lingering threat of loneliness due to hectic holiday travel can be staved off through proper planning and knowing the dos and don’ts of traveling during the busiest times of the year.
The first thing that should be considered is transportation. If you are capable of driving home, this is a much cheaper alternative than flying and you certainly don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of the airport. The hassle of checking in bags, going through security and worst of all, the potential of flight delays due to inclement weather is of no concern if hitting the open road as opposed to the great blue sky. Of course, the luxury of being able to drive home is not afforded to everyone. Many people fly from out of state to visit family, so you should always remember a few key points to help make traversing through the airport and to the plane as simple as possible.
One of the worst aspects of traveling is the security check point. Not only do you have to take your shoes and belt off, but you have to remove any metal items you may have on your person, as well as separate certain items such as laptops. Of course, there is always one person who is unaware of the rules or simply chooses to ignore them, and as a result the line gets backed up, preventing it from moving smoothly and increasing your stress levels. When packing, pack all your carry-on items in layers to make it easier for security agents to see. Isolate all liquids (which must be less than 3 oz.) in a separate plastic baggie, as well as laptops and other electronic equipment. A simple rule to remember is that nothing should be loose: no loose change or items floating around in your pockets or baggage. Finally, always have your identification and boarding pass ready. By following these rules and the others outlined here, you can be in and out of the security line in no time.
Much of the stress that is associated with traveling during the holidays is due simply to poor planning. These guidelines go hand in hand with those found here and elsewhere around the web, and by following them you can rest assured that your trip home for the holidays will be as hassle free as possible.
