Top 10+ Tips For Holiday Travel!

By:Natalia Ippolito

The holidays are here and so is the stress. There is nothing like the stress of booking tickets and traveling during the holidays. Added to that stress is airport security.

I am a former airport screener and I have made it my personal mission to help passengers get through airport security fast, safe and easy.

Here are my top ten valuable airport security tips to help you travel through airport security this holiday season. Be sure to tell me your horror stories or comments on traveling through airport security during the holidays.

1. Book your tickets as far in advanced as possible. This will lower the chance of you being chosen for secondary screening, since last minute bookings seem to increase your chances.

2. Pack light. Nothing delays the security lines more than when the x-ray operator has to ask for a rerun on a passenger's bag because they cannot determine if the contents contain a prohibited item or not. Remember that liquid medications, breast milk and baby formula are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and creams. Pack your exempt items separate from your regular 3-1-1 carry-on items and declare them to the screener at the divesting table at x-ray.

3. Know what items are permitted and prohibited in your carry-on and checked baggage. Download the Ultimate Packing List on my contact page. 40 million prohibited items have been confiscated to date, including explosives, guns, knives and weapons. Do not be only of those passengers who delay the line by bringing a prohibited item to security checkpoint.

4. Use online check-in. The airlines will allow you to check-in no more than 24 hours in advance. This is a BIG stress reducer. If you can print out your boarding pass from home, this alone tells you that you are not scheduled for secondary screening.

5. Use curb-side check-in. The porters have to pay for their carts in some cases, so give them a little and save BIG TIME. I saved 2 to 3 hours of waiting in line when I tipped a porter $20 to check me in curb-side in Orlando.

6. Keep your cool! TSA could charge you up to $5,000 for interfering with the screening process for unruly behavior or threatening comments. This means NO joking around. Do not say any of these words: terrorist, bomb, IED, IID, George Bush and Osama bin Laden.

7. Dress for airport security. No body piercings, no thick bracelets or jewelry. No baggy pants and avoid wearing skirts or dresses. You will increase your chances of secondary screening if your clothing can easily conceal a weapon. Wear slip-on shoes! This alone will save you time.

8. Place your personal bedroom toys in checked baggage. You could shutdown an airport by mistake if they are carried in your carry-on luggage. They have similar components as an IED.

9. Arrive at least 2 hours early for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. You don't know if the person in front of you will do something stupid and delay the line. Power outages, weapon scares, bomb threats are just a few reasons airports will shutdown for hours.

10. Normally you can get cheaper ticket prices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. During the holidays, avoid traveling that holiday week if possible. Fly early than 10am and later than 3pm if possible. That is peak travel time for security lines.

Tell me your horror stories of going through airport security screening during the holidays.

Happy and Safe Travels!

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: holiday travel, airports, security, screening, TSA, transportation security administration, holiday

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Natalia Ippolito, a former airport screener and author of: I MIGHT AS WELL BE NAKED: How to Survive Airport Screening With Your Clothes On.

Receive her FREE Tip of The Week, Sample Chapter Ultimate Packing List or Unknown Violations and Fines Report at http://www.airportbook.com

Top Air Travel Articles
1). The Fear of Flying By : Joseph Kenny There are a few fears in life that defy logic. Fear of spiders may be one, fear of lifts is another, and perhaps a fear of flying is another. Everyday, thousands of planes take off around the world, carrying millions of passengers safely to their destination. Flying is one of the safest, if not the safest, form of travel available. It is far safer than getting in the car, yet over one third of the population still report a fear of flying.
2). Getting The Cheapest Possible Airline Tickets By : Chloe Steele For most people, trying to get a good rate on airfare is a necessity. Most people spend the bulk of their vacation dollars on airfare. So it's a good idea to put in the time necessary to finding a better deal. There are a few things to keep in mind while you're researching that will save you a good bit of money. So these tips will help with getting better prices.
3). Perimeter Security Systems - Airports By : Johnny Mayer Perimeter Security systems are of utmost importance to "airport security". With passenger lines stretching from here until tomorrow, airports could not function without proven perimeter security systems. The pictures of passengers patiently lined up before metal detectors shows acceptance for Airport security systems. The other, unacceptable option is failed Perimeter security systems leading to unthinkable 9-11 tragedies and empty planes in the skies.
4). 12 Critical tips to saving on airport parking By : paul wilson1 Off-site airport parking is a boon for travelers. Often they prove to be cheaper than parking lots run by airports and online discounts and other conveniences make the option even more attractive. Satellite parking lots face competition and so it is easy for those in the know to save big. Here are a few insights: 1. Keep a tab on offers. As the race for success becomes intense, all sites run attractive offers giving away coupons or web only deals.
5). Cheap Flight To the USA By : Danny Wirken Whether you have a limited budget or simply want to get the best deal on a flight, traveling on cheap airlines can save you a bundle on airfares that you can apply to the rest of your vacation. Over the past few years, cheap airlines selling cheap tickets for cheap flights have proliferated -- and that's to your benefit. More often than not, there's negligible difference between a coach seat on a cheap airline and one on the Big Six (American, United, Delta, Northwest, Continental, and US Airways) airlines.
6). Flight Coordinator Job Sites By : Matthew C. Keegan Finding work as an aircraft flight coordinator typically involves submitting your resume directly to companies that may be hiring. Still, it can be a laborious process trying to track down and find those companies that are hiring. On the other hand, there are several web sites on the internet that list flight coordinator jobs from time to time. No, there aren�t an abundance of jobs available, but if you know where to look, you can make the process easier on yourself.
7). What Not To Bring Through Airport Check In By : Lee Dobbins Learn about what types of items airport security is looking for and make your check in go smoother.
8). Online airline guide By : OliviaAndrews Many of you travel through different modes of transport such as car, bus, train etc. Traveling through air is considered to be luxurious and also reduces the time span of your travel. It�s very fast and convenient while you travel via air. While you plan to travel via air, airlines guide helps you to know the different places your flight shall make a halt, flight schedules and other necessary information.
9). Find Great Airline Fares For Your Trip By : Triston Huntsmin There are few things as exciting and inspiring as getting to plan a great getaway or vacation. Life seems to get more and more busy and stressful as it goes on, so the relief and relaxation that a vacation provides are desperately needed by all busy adults. One of the more stressful elements of planning a vacation is finding reasonable airline fares.
10). How to get cheap airlines tickets? By : OliviaAndrews No wonder that anyone if asked the way they would love to travel and their answer would be air travel. Traveling through air could be fabulous if you have some prior information and if you plan out everything in advance. To get an affordable air travel you should know where to look and in which airline you should book your ticket. Here are few tips that will help you out in finding cheap airline tickets fully legitimately.

New Air Travel Articles
1). Charter Planes By : Jimmy Sturo Charter flights are an alternative to commercial flights. In 1987 the Civil Aeronautics Board opened charters to the public and permitted a great deal of flexibility and competitiveness. Anyone can fly a public charter. It is not restricted to an individual; groups can also charter flights. You can fly charters into one city and return from somewhere else.
2). Save Money When Flying By : Tim Renolds One common goal for people all over the world is trying to find ways to save money on flying. It is common knowledge that flying is a particularly expensive way of traveling, yet it is one of the most common, safest, and fastest method available in the world today. Unless you travel frequently for business purposes and your company pays all your airfares, it is you that will have to worry about the costs of flying.
3). Learn How To Find Dirt Cheap Air Travel By : Scott Michaels There are ways to find air travel cheap. The first thing to do is invest some time in research. If you call a travel agent they will offer you a fare that might seem reasonable but it�s important to remember that the agent has to make money and therefore they normally need to charge service fees. Taking a vacation is always a welcome thing. The cost of the airline tickets isn�t nearly as entertaining.
4). Airfare Doesn't Have To Hinder Your Dream Trip By : Belina Storrey Is there a vacation that you have been dreaming of taking? Perhaps you have been dying to visit Vancouver Island in Canada's British Columbia, or maybe you want to tour Europe with nothing but your backpack. Have a desire to relax on a Caribbean island or on the islands of Greece? Any of these amazing vacations could become a reality for you. Unfortunately, many people who dream of traveling are hindered because of the great expense and hassle of finding good airfare to make it to their dream destinations.
5). Enjoying The Benefits Of Cheap Airfare By : Christopher H. Waters It is a dream come true for many those who had the wish to go round the world but couldn't go because of very costly airfare. But now with the help of cheap flights and low airfare it is possible for them to enjoy the trip of the world. Previously only few rich people can afford traveling in Air flights but now a days there are massive discounts on all flights around the world to increase the chance for ordinary people to fly in aircrafts.
6). Get The Cheapest Airfare By : Belina Storrey There is no doubt that traveling is expensive. Whether you wish to travel to the next state, the next country, or all the way around the world, travel requires money. There are many things that contribute to the costs of travel, not the least of which is airfare. Airfare often makes up a large percentage of a travel budget, even more so now with the oil prices continually on the rise.
7). Ten Tips for Air Travel in 2006-7 By : Evelyn Cole Copyright 2006 Cole's Poetic License (Domestic, economy class) Air travel, you may have noticed, ain't what it used to be. Therefore: 1. Check your large bag. Carry your make-up and computer bags only. The airlines rarely lose luggage. Besides, you need to be free to wander airports unburdened. No clothes are worth tying you down, if you think about it.
8). Tips On Alaska Floatplane Flying By : Sandra McKeever A life of adventure - doing what you love and getting paid for it � does this sound interesting to you? Maybe if you�re thinking about a career change you should think about heading to Alaska to be a float plane pilot or a bush pilot. At the very least it�s an excellent summer vacation idea if you can�t manage the career change right now. These pilots live lives that most of us will only dream of.
9). Online airline guide By : OliviaAndrews Many of you travel through different modes of transport such as car, bus, train etc. Traveling through air is considered to be luxurious and also reduces the time span of your travel. It�s very fast and convenient while you travel via air. While you plan to travel via air, airlines guide helps you to know the different places your flight shall make a halt, flight schedules and other necessary information.
10). Cheap Air Travel- Not What it Used to Be By : Manny St Cyr Traveling is not what it worn to be. Don't get me wrong; this is a good thing. We don't even have to exchange with travel agents or people at all any more. This is the age of convenience. We can lever most equipment from the privacy of our own homes. The Internet has provided us with access to any and everything we please. Are you forecast a vacation? Are you headed out on a question trip? Well, if so, get prepare to be blessed with cheap air travel.

� 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy