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What can go wrong does seem to go wrong at the worst possible time. Try to use these tips to avoid ruining your holiday. Our travel tips are not in order of importance; they should be taken into consideration as they pertain to your trip. We always appreciate suggestions from our readers. If we have forgotten a good tip or if you've got one that has been especially useful to you, please let us know. You'll be acknowledged if you request it.

• Reconfirm you flight schedule two weeks prior to departure and thenagain 24 hours prior to departure. When you reconfirm, you should also reconfirm your seat assignment. Make sure that the airline has a phone number to contact you on the day of departure if the need arises.
  • The airline can change or cancel your flight numbers, time, plane type or routing at any time. If you know ahead of time, you can try to circumvent the inconvenience that may be encountered. In some cases you may be able to change to a more convenient flight. If the airline has changed or cancelled your flight and rescheduled you on a flight you do not like, ask them to reconfirm you on a schedule that meets your needs.

• Try to always take non-stop flights
  • In many instances we cannot always travel to cities that have non-stop flights. For instance, I have traveled many times in the past from Los Angles to Boise Idaho. I know that if I schedule my connecting flight too close to my scheduled arrival time, there is going to be a good change of my missing my connection. I also worry about what is going to happen to my luggage if I miss my connection . To circumvent this I usually give myself at least a two hour connection interval at my connecting city. Technically, you have up to a 4 hour time limit to make your connection before the airlines will charge you an additional fee for a stop over. Ask your travel consultant or the airline reservation agent for a longer lay over. (By giving myself more time, I can relax and begin to enjoy my holiday instead of being stressed by close-to-impossible connection intervals.)

• Christmas Presents: Send them another way rather than carrying them on the plane or as baggage. Take your choice: UPS, the U.S. Mail, Federal Express or your other favorite carrier..
  • Not having your presents on Christmas morning because of a baggage mix-up can ruin your holiday season. Just don't take a chance.

• Arrive very early at the airport.
  • You should know your city. If you are in Medford, Oregon you will not have to arrive as early as if you are in New York and are going to fly out of JFK. Just arrive early and the earlier the better. Remember, there may be abnormal weather, heavy traffic and many, many more people than normal to contend with at the airport.

• Don't pack too much. Take the exact amount of baggage (or less) that the airline will allow. Call the airline and ask them exactly how much (number of pieces and weights) you can take.
  • If you want to take more baggage and pay the additional fee, call the airline to make sure they will take additional luggage. In many cases during the holidays the airlines will refuse to take additional luggage. Don't be disappointed; call and double check first. When you do call, get the name of the agent, the time and the city you phoned and the phone number of the agent you are speaking to. If the agent doesn't want to give you his or her name, (for security reasons or maybe just because they are having a bad day), then ask for his/her agent sign.
• Don't take your eyes off your luggage.
  • If you are in a line and put down your carry-on luggage, you might want to stand over it or at the least have it rest against your leg.
• At the carousel, take your suitcases or boxes off immediately.
  • If you can't reach through the throng of humanity then - to be prudent - follow your luggage around the carousel until you can remove it. The following true horror story should serve to make the point: In a large international airport during off peak travel a very sophisticated, experienced traveling couple were at the carousel waiting for their luggage. They saw their luggage come down the chute. Unfortunately, there was a hoard of people in front of them. Instead of pushing forward to retrieve their luggage, they politely held back and positioned themselves to pick up their luggage as it came around on the next pass. But by the time the luggage came around again, one of their pieces had been stolen never to be found again. Needless to say, the airlines and their personal insurance did not cover the full loss. Six months later a ring of luggage thieves was uncovered working this particular airport - a small consolation to these two travelers.

Happy Holiday Traveling!

© 1997 Lisa Thompson, CTC

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