Summertime Travel Guidelines

Summertime, and the traveling CAN be easy!
I work in the travel industry, and during the peak travel months, I see a lot of things that people do that make their travel either easier or more difficult. 
I have prepared a list to help all of you who are interested.
Here we go!  
1. Get everything you possibly CAN get done completed 24 hours ahead of time. What should you be doing?

• Make sure that you know which airport you are going to!
  
• Bags packed.
  
• Bags weighed.
  
• Check the measurements INCLUDING the wheels of the suitcases and bags that you are bringing.
  
• Have all travel Documents printed and ready as well as on your device.
  
• Place all Passports and visas together if the visa is not electronic. (Electronic documents printed as well if you are able to.) 
  
• Look online and see what the transportation time is from your location to the airport. Are you going to be travelling during a peak travel time? Calculate that in, too!
  
• Some airlines and countries require that infants have some sort of identification, even a birth certificate. Know before you go. 
• Travelling internationally? Are there immunization requirements? Limits on amount of checked luggage? Visas required? Maximum stays? Look it up before you go. 
• Do not EVER check medicine, documents, car or house keys! 
• If you are military, print your orders and have them with you. 

2. Leave your location to get to the airport on time! You should be at the airport at least 2 hours before your boarding time, NOT your takeoff time. That means building in time for things that you have to do before you get to the airport. Dropping off a rental car? Add at least an hour. Have to put gas in the rental car? 30 additional minutes. Meeting up with friends? Agree to meet at least 1 hour earlier. 
3. ​If you are travelling with a group, such as a travel group, make sure that you have contact information for the travel agency if applicable, as well as the tour guide/group leader. If you are going to be travelling on a weekend, is there an alternate contact for the travel agency? 
4. Forbidden items. There are various rules for what can and cannot be brought onto the airplane, both in the cargo hold and in the cabin. Read the restrictions and make sure that you are not going to unknowingly break a rule. 
5. Don't tie stuff to the top of your luggage to make it easier to find. There are better methods. People tie all sorts of things to the handles of the bags. Stop doing this. If your bags get caught in the rollers, or the bag carousel, or in any of the thousands of square feet of machinery, the cute little thing that you tied onto the bag could either jam the machinery, tear the handle off, or a multitude of other things. If you want your bag to be personalized, use stickers and bumper stickers. Use those adorable luggage covers that are very popular. Another reason to not use all of those things on your handle is that the bag drop folks will be hanging your destination luggage tags from there. Don't crowd their real estate! 
6. Place some contact information in every section of the bag. Name of traveler/s, phone number, email address. 
7. Make sure that zippers, handles, wheels and luggage straps are all in working order. 
8. If you use a lock, make sure that it is TSA approved. They WILL cut a lock off a bag if it is to be inspected. 
9. If you are traveling with firearms to be checked or other special items, add enough time to make sure that you will make the flight. 
10. Oversize items are allowed on some flights. There is an additional cost. There is a limit to how large something can be. 
11. Getting to the airport. Before you leave, in larger airports, you will want to note the terminal and the gate. Double check to make sure you know the time. (AM vs. PM)
12. If you are parking at the airport. take a photo of where you parked. Take a photo of the closest sign that says where you are parked. Seriously, I once called a boyfriend to come and get me because I was so very tired, I could not recall where I parked. We looked all over for the car. The following day, we found it in less than 5 minutes. 
13. If your airline has an app, install it on your phone. You will be kept updated as to flight and luggage status, delays, gate changes, and you will earn on their loyalty program. 
14. Arriving at the airport. If you do not need to check in at the counter, go through security to your gate. If you do need to check in, see if they have a computer to sign in at. If they do, use it. You will save a lot of time, and a lot of frustration. Some carriers will not even handle your luggage until you have completed computer check in. 
15. After you have dropped your bags at the counter, make sure that you take all of your personal items with you such as cell phone, cup, small hand luggage, credit cards, passports, etc., Otherwise, you will have to come back through security to retrieve them! 
Have a great summer! 

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