THRIVING Through Holiday Travel

The holidays are magical, right? They’re all about family meals where everyone gets along, turkeys that are perfectly moist, receiving gifts you’ve always wanted but never put on a wish list, eggnog that doesn’t add to your waistline, seamless travel experiences and more. Right?

Um, no. Actually not at all. 

While I’m no expert in navigating family drama, using a turkey baster, being a ninja elf or even want to consider eggnog shortcuts, I can offer my Top 5 Tips for surviving - and thriving - during your holiday travels (which just might make your holidays a little more magical!)

• Book The FIRST Flight Out
  Schedule the first flight out: don’t worry - you can sleep when you get to Grandma’s. Most delays occur later in the day, and are often a result of planes absorbing delays from incoming planes, other airports, etc. But airlines get a chance to start-over each day and get back on schedule!

• Arrive Early (+ bring your patience pants and holiday cheer)
  This is the moment to follow the advice we always hear (but balk at): arrive early, like 2-3 hours early. There is no point in fighting or denying that the airport will be busy and lines will be long. So rather than fight it, try to rush through it, or be annoyed by it, just embrace it. Arrive early, buy a few magazines, find a quiet corner, grab a glass of wine or two, and just exude calmness. You’ll be in a much better place when you get on that plane, promise.

• Go On The Offense
  It’s highly probable that something could go wrong during your holiday travel. Anytime you merge increased traffic, tightened security, and extreme weather there is a risk of delays, cancellations and more. (reference tip #1: don’t try to fight or be in denial about this.) So go on the offense vs. showing up at the airport and waiting to hear plans have changed. Try to solve problems, or get your questions answered, on multiple fronts. While waiting in line to speak to a ticketing agent, simultaneously call the airline customer service line, and go online to try and change my flight. Think of it as the amazing race. Ready, set, GO!

• Traveling With Gifts
  Many people are traveling with gifts during the holidays, obvi. But keep in mind that even though they’re gifts, all contents of your luggage are subject to TSA rules and screening. For example: the toy baseball bat and plastic sword, while small and cute for your nephew, they can still be interpreted as weapons. And the homemade jam, spreads and spiked eggnog you made the night before --- super thoughtful and all, but these goods are still subject to liquid limits in carry-on baggage. And while not against the rules, I recommend you leave all gifts unwrapped while you travel. Wrapped gifts, in both your checked and carry-on luggage, are subject to inspection which could mean the gifts will be unwrapped. (And no, TSA will not be a good elf and re-wrap your gifts.)

• Spread Goodwill
  Traveling back home can create a lot of stress for some people. And while I’m not a therapist or have data to back this up: I’d guess this stress and anxiety contributes to the chaos at the airport during the holidays! While we can’t sort through all those issues in this Top 5 post, I challenge you with this: find opportunities to spread goodwill: buy coffee for the person behind you in the coffee line, go out of your way to tell a ticketing agent ‘thank you’ for working instead of being home with their family, help someone lift their luggage into the overhead bin, etc. 

Cheers to thriving and ‘living big’ this holiday season! YOU GOT THIS!

Mary
Founder, Living Big Travel

BONUS TIP: for some of the most hilariously dry, yet government sponsored information, please read the TSA blog and follow them in Instagram.