It may not be Christmas anymore but still and always ‘tis the season for holiday travel.  There is always a President’s Day, MLK Day, a quick weekend ski break, Spring Break, Memorial Day, July 4th looming and then summer and then xmas all over again...!  Holiday travel awaits us all...ALL the year.   Whether you’re headed to Grandma’s or the Grand Caymans or just heading to Disneyworld you’re sure to be greeted by packed planes, security lines and all those things that go along with holiday travel.  But have no fear!  All you have to do is “Pack your Patience and be Prepared!”

BEFORE YOU GO:

PICK GOOD SEATS: Seats can make or break your trip.  Don’t end up sitting rows apart in non-reclining seats next to the bathroom.  Check out www.seatguru.com for the low-down on the best seats.  Families get a crack at bulkheads and some planes have bassinets.

SECURE TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT:  Parking? Reserve a spot in advance: www.airportparkingreservations.com.  Taking a taxi or car service? Confirm it!

PRINT BOARDING PASSES and CHECK IN ONLINE:  If you’re travelling with carry-on you’ll basically be home free.  But let’s be realistic, you’re travelling with kids.  You’ll have luggage.  So…

PACK SMART: Travel with kids is a soufflé of spit up and spills – not to mention mountains of crumbs.  Add a pinch of active minds and a dash of flailing limbs and you’ve got the perfect recipe for the perfect storm.  Let’s call it the ‘immovable feast’.

Pack Light:  You’ll have to be able to keep track of kids AND suitcases!  Limit checked bags so you’re mobile without a cart or porter.  Remember: you pay extra for heavy bags.  You can ship ahead and/or rent equipment.  (For links: see below)

Carry On:  Think lost luggage and delays. 

Bring:

•Extra clothes.  No one wants to sit for 9 hours in (use your imagination).

• Wipes

•Food: Think delays.  Think crank factor. Think school lunch:  Cheese sticks, fruit, nuts.

•Cozy stuff:  pashmina/blanket

•Toys for both: lots of little $1 gifts; a book for you.

•DVD player, DVDs and airplane charger. 

•Medications/important toiletries

•Ziplocs

•Important papers

•A glue stick (Don’t laugh.  In a pinch make art projects with magazines and sugar packs.)

Remember: tag ALL luggage with ID AND itinerary.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!  Prepare for delays, boo-boos, tantrums…anything and everything that could mess up travel plans.

You must:

ARRIVE EARLY.  Why sweat and fret?  Cool your heels on the other side of security.  Security is tricky with kids AND lines will be long. 

•Check carry on regulations in advance.  For example: connecting in London you are allowed only 1 bag.

•Remember liquid restrictions: ONE zip loc per person & bottles must be 3 oz. or less. For more info: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

•Wear slip-on shoes. No double bows.

ENJOY THE AIRPORT!  Play games.  Join a lounge.  Look at airplanes.  Do your homework and you’ll find that many airports have fun stuff.  For example, Geneva airport has an observation deck and a hands-on cockpit with switches to flip.

ON THE PLANE

Your travel extravaganza may not be perfect, but it will be manageable AND memorable.  There are 101 reasons to avoid travel during any holiday but there are 102 more to go for it!  Treasured moments with family and friends are gifts you’ll have forever…long after the chaos is forgotten.

For more information try these useful web sites:

For specific TSA regulations for families:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

Shipping luggage:

www.theluggageclub.com, www.luggageforward.com, www.travellighter.com,

Renting equipment:

www.babiestravellite.com, www.babysaway.com, www.jetsetbabies.com

For info on delays: http://www.flightstats.com/go/Home/home.do

For security wait times: http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html

www.AAA.com   “Travel Tips for Family Travel”

Good article about joining airport lounges: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-insider23jul23