If you’re like many people you might be doing some travelling by plane during the Christmas season. In fact it’s one of the busiest times of the year at airports. So there are some tips to make your travel a little easier.
“The airport can sometimes be an unpleasant experience this time of year,” said Barbara Crowe, president of Ixtapa Travel in Saskatoon.
“Expect delays, expect long lineups, and don’t sweat the small stuff,” she told Global News.
She said a big part of any successful trip is preparation – and that, she said, actually starts before you leave your home.
“Make sure you’ve got all your proper documentation, you’ve got your passport, its valid, you’ve got your e-tickets,” she said.
People also need to make sure they’ve got what they need for hotels and travel insurance. She said it’s also handy to pack liquids and gels in clear plastic bags to put in carry-on baggage, so they can be quickly and easily inspected.
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Gifts, she added, can be an issue during the busy Christmas season.
“If you’re taking gifts, don’t wrap the gifts,” she said. “Chances are somebody at security is going to ask you to unwrap that, so gift bags are a great idea, or little gift boxes so if you do have to open that up its quite easy to do.”
Another tip – if you’re online shopping, have the gift sent directly to the recipient, rather than lugging it through the airport.
It also really helps to check in on line 24 hours prior, she added. It speeds up the process at the airport, and you greatly lower your risk of getting bumped if the airline has overbooked.
She also said it’s important to get to the airport early, and drop off your baggage quickly.
“Go directly to security,” she added. “You can expect some delays there – lots of people don’t travel very much, and they’re not familiar with some of the rules there so we have to be a little bit patient.”
“Let’s face it,” she added. “Expect delays, expect long lineups, don’t sweat the small stuff and pack your smile.”
Following a few simple tips, she said, can help ensure your Christmas trip goes smoothly.
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