Hello and welcome to episode 25 of the Ready Set Depart Podcast. We are so glad you’re here!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been really glad that we didn’t fly anywhere for Thanksgiving this year. With the bad weather shutting down major airports and the effects of the Government Shutdown still being felt, this year has not been a super smooth travel season.

And it got me thinking. Sometimes we want to fly during the holiday season, but how can we make it just a little bit better? Here are 15 tips to help you have the best holiday travel experience ever. Learn from our mistakes so you don’t have to make them.

Tip #1 - Check your bags

I know that so many people suggest that you fit everything you’ll need in your carry on but is it worth it? Not for me and my family. I would much rather check the heavy bag and not think about it again until we hit our destination. Remember, you can check your car seat but we always suggest getting a car seat cover because - gross.

Tip #2 - Gate check your stroller

If you kids are little enough for a stroller, use it! They will be much happier and you’ll be able to organize things in the stroller. They seem to treat the gate checked strollers a bit better than the checked car seats, but there are also stroller bags to keep them clean in the airplane. Remember two things. You’ll need to let the gate agent know that you have a stroller to check, and you will need to collapse the stroller just before the plane. 

Tip #3 - Bring more snacks and diapers thank you think you’ll need

Like a lot more. I don’t know about your kids but my kid gets HANGRY! So having something he’ll eat when we are waiting for our plane, or our plane is delayed helps so much!

Thankfully diapers are pretty light so bring as many as you can fit, just in case.

Tip #4 - Invest in TSA PreCheck

I love PreCheck! So, what is PreCheck? You apply online, schedule a time to go in and get your fingerprints and photo taken, and then once you’re accepted, you can skip the long line at security! You have to renew it every 5 years, but you only have to get your fingerprints and photo taken once.

But, do you want to hear the best thing about PreCheck? Children who are under 12 can go through the Pre-Check line with you automatically. When they’re 13-17, it gets a little bit harder. If they are on the same reservation, they will more than likely be able to come with you through the PreCheck line, but only if it shows on their ticket as well. According to the TSA website, and our experience, it usually does, but it is something to pay attention to.

Tip #5 - Travel on a Tuesday if you can

Or a Monday if it’s Thanksgiving week. Basically avoid if at all possible the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, or Christmas Eve. Those are busy, busy, busy days!

Tip #6 - Try not to be on the first flight or the last flight to your destination

I used to think that being on the first flight to your destination was the way to go, but we learned the hard way that depending on what time your airplane crew got in the night before could delay your flight because they have to have so long between flights. And an airplane can’t fly without the crew!

As for the last flight to your destination, there are so many things that could happen to delay that flight. The weather at your destination could affect the flight. Or the combined delays of the whole day could make your flight even later! 

Tip #7 - Don’t put wrapped presents in your bags

Not in your checked or carryon bags. TSA will open them up and you’ll have to wrap them again.

Tip #8 - Watch your incoming flight

There are websites where you can do this but the easiest way to watch your incoming flight is on the airline’s app. So if the flight before yours was supposed to land in 30 minutes, and they’re still an hour out, you know you’re going to be delayed.

Tip #9 - If your flight is cancelled…

Get on the app or call in while you’re standing in line. You can often figure out a different flight that way rather than waiting in line and seeing what happens when you get to the desk.

Tip #10 - Get travel insurance

I’m not always a huge proponent of travel insurance, especially for domestic flights but it’s a good idea during the holidays. While airlines will often pass out hotel vouchers when a flight is cancelled, they won’t when it’s weather related, so having a free hotel is nice. Some credit cards provide travel insurance for free if you use it to book so take a look at that as well.

Tip #11 - Think about flying on the “big day”

Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, flying out on the “big day” can make the lines a lot shorter. I never wanted to because I didn’t want to make people work when they wanted to be home with their families but one year it was the only day we could fly out and all the people working said that they liked the increased pay so not to worry about it. The lines were very short and it was a breeze of a travel day.

Tip #12 - Don’t forget that you’ll probably come home with more things than you left with

Especially if you’re traveling around Christmas. Think about shipping your gifts home if you don’t have room in your suitcase. One thing we like to do is to pack a duffle in our suitcase on the way there so if we need room, we just put all of our dirty clothes in the duffle and then there’s tons of room!

Tip #13 - There will be people who have never flown before at the airport

And they won’t know what to do. And I get it - they can be frustrating, but just pack some extra patience and remember that there was a time when you didn’t know what to do either. (And tell them about this great podcast you listen to about traveling with your family!)

Tip #14 - During the holiday season, give yourself some extra time

Get to the airport at least 2 hours before you fly domestically, or 3 hours before an international flight. Sure, you may sit at your gate for a little longer but you’ll be less stressed.

If you have a connection and there’s a choice of a 30 minute layover versus a 1-½ hour layover, choose the longer layover. 

And Tip #15 - Have a good attitude

I promise, the person behind the counter isn’t trying to ruin your holiday. The person in front of you in security who forgot to take off their shoes isn’t doing it on purpose. This is a stressful time of year for everyone. Maybe your smile or a little help will be just what they need to have a great travel day!

So, there you have it! Fifteen tips to make traveling during the holidays just a little bit easier. If you missed any of these tips, just take a look at our website at www.readysetdepart.com for the whole list!

From our family to yours, we hope this holiday season is a wonderful one for you, filled with on time departures and all of your luggage being there when you get to the baggage claim.

And as always, let’s keep making traveling with your family easier, one trip at a time. See ya next time.