Tis the season for kindness, generosity, and merriment.  And then you arrive at the airport to angry sweaty people and invasive security scanners that make you resent the holiday season.  For the past 9 years, I’ve had the luxury of traveling back home for every holiday.  Needless to say, I like most people are not looking forward to the endless crowds and delayed flights.  However, I’ve found a few helpful tips to keep my sanity while traveling and hope you find them useful as we move into a busy travel time.  And remember, you’re not alone!

• Leave early: Being a city dweller myself, you never know how traffic or the impending security line is going to be.  Best to give yourself some extra time to account for the unexpected.
• Dress Comfortably: Layers are your friend and bring an over sized scarf just in case you need to cozy up.
• Pack Snacks: Being hangry just adds another element to an already stressful day.  Grab a few protein bars, turkey jerky or almonds to help satiate your rumbling tummy.
• Stay Connected: Download the latest travel apps to help while you’re on the move.  You might also want to check out one of these:
  • FlightStatus gives you real-time updates on delays, baggage numbers and more
  • GateGuru gives you approximate times you’ll spend in security
  • SitOrSquat provides you with the cleanest bathrooms when you’re on the road
  • Waze gives you real-time traffic and road info
• Travel Early or Late in the Day: Flight stats show planes traveling earlier in the day have a better on-time performance.  And if your flight is cancelled, you will have an option of taking a flight later in the day.  If you’re driving, it’s best to drive when everyone else is asleep – early morning or late at night if you’re a night owl.
• Pack Light: I’m terrible at following this rule, but having a carry-on really helps expedite the airport process.  If you struggle with packing like I do, I’ve found the PackPoint packing list builder app to be extremely helpful.  It generates a customized list of what you should pack based on your agenda, weather, etc. – Brilliant!
• If all else fails, know when to give up and have a cocktail 🙂