GOBBLE ’EM UP
Travel can be challenging and exhausting even in the best of times. Multiply that by hundreds of thousands of people trying to get somewhere all at the same time, and it becomes an endurance contest. Following are tips for survival, from Times Travel staf
You’ve stuffed everything into your suitcase and carry-on, then joined hundreds of thousands of fellow harried travelers at the airport, only to discover that the quart of Super Special Gravy violates TSA’s security rules. If only you’d known. A little knowledge can be a powerful tool for travelers, which is why we offer a cornucopia of tips for you to feast on and help you survive the busy travel season.
Give yourself time
About 28.5 million passengers are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to the trade association Airlines for America. With that crush, it takes only one person or accident to slow you down. You don’t want to be rushed, since that’s when stress levels rise, tempers flare and patience wanes. — John DiScala founder, JohnnyJet.com
Is there another way?
Many airports have more than one security checkpoint. Ask an employee if there’s another checkpoint that has shorter lines. — J.D.S
Security may take longer
No matter how you go through security, it may take longer, thanks to new rules about electronics. The TSA asks you to remove all electronics larger than a 4- by 6-inch cellphone from your carry-on luggage.
That includes your iPad, your e-reader and your DSLR camera.
If you have TSA Precheck, you do not have to take this step unless the PreCheck lines aren’t in operation, and then you do. — Catharine Hamm, Times staff writer
What can you take in your carry-on?
You can take a turkey in your carry-on bag (make sure your airline doesn’t have a weight restriction for on-board luggage), but you cannot take more than 3.4 ounces of gravy on board with you, so unless you have the tiniest turkey ever, you’ll need to pack that gravy in your checked luggage.
To find out whether you can take your pie or pudding or anything else, go to the TSA website
(lat.ms/TSACanITake) or download the app. — C.H.
Fighting congestion (the head cold kind)
If you’re the least bit congested or sometimes get congested during f light, take decongestants with you. Also for the children.
Take the decongestant an hour to 90 minutes before landing for best results. Check with your doctor for specifics on decongestants. –Linda Schaefer, reader and American Airlines flight attendant, Tarzana
A different way to f ly
Book a seat on a private charter plane, and you can show up 15 minutes before your flight takes off — without having to face security checkpoint lines.
Jet Suite, for example, flies between Burbank and Oakland for fares starting at $129 each way. Fares will show up on Kayak.com flight comparisons. — Mary Forgione, Times Travel contributor
Airport parking
If you’re parking in a private lot at LAX, make a reservation to ensure getting a space. There’s nothing to be done about a car you can’t park and can’t abandon. — C.H.
Go, but maybe not at peak times
Family pressuring you to fly home for the holidays? Don’t give in; fares may be lower and crowds smaller if you travel after the big day(s).
Consider flying between Christmas and New Year’s — or even later than that. Many schools don’t resume until Jan. 8. — Anne Harnagel, Times staff writer
By car
Leave early or late
But don’t leave at the same time as everyone else. Best time: 4 a.m. Wednesday, Google Trends says. — Christopher Reynolds, Times staff writer
Give yourself a psychological break
If you’re heading to San Diego for the holidays on Interstate 5, you’ll probably find it slow going.
We often go inland instead, switching to Interstate 15. It may take longer, but somehow going faster feels better. — C.R.
Make it fun
A holiday road trip can be fun when it’s well planned. Because the days are shorter, we usually don’t travel more than six hours
per day, which gives us time to arrive at the hotels before dark and enjoy the amenities, such as the restaurant or an indoor pool. — Angie reader, McCaffery, Los Angeles
A different kind of car trip
Tesloop (tesloop.com) is a nifty service that picks you up in a Tesla Model S or Model X and drives you between L.A. and San Diego, Palm Springs or Orange County. (Other routes include travel between the O.C. and San Diego and Palm Springs.)
You get snacks, free Wi-Fi and device chargers, and noise-canceling headphones.
Tickets cost $29 to $79 each way depending on destination. — M.F. Check those tires
Before a road trip, check the tires. The proper air pressure usually can be found on a decal inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual. Be sure your spare is properly inflated too. — Chris Erskine, Times staff writer By train Reserve
Amtrak’s popular Pacific Surfliner service between San Diego and San Luis Obispo requires reservations for travel from Nov. 22 to Nov. 26.
Remember: Having a reservation means you can get on, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a seat during busy holiday travel. — M.F. To ensure a seat
To get a seat on the train, consider upgrading to business class. You’ll also have a little more space. — M.F. Take a turkey and check your bags
Feel free to bring the turkey on the train. You are allowed two checked bags and two carry-ons (up to a combined total of 150 pounds) for free. Don’t forget a valid photo ID. — M.F. By bus Leave the driving to them
Whether Megabus, BoltBus or Greyhound, bus travel is one of the cheapest ways to travel.
Round-trip on Greyhound between L.A. and Las Vegas leaving Nov. 22 and returning Nov. 26 goes for as little as $78, and you get free Wi-Fi and power outlets on board. Megabus and BoltBus have comparable fares and amenities. Info: MegaBus, us.megabus .com; BoltBus, boltbus.com; Greyhound, greyhound.com. — M.F. Your hotel The concierge: your new BFF
Introduce yourself to the manager-concierge-doorman of your hotel. They can provide helpful insider tips, including ideas on local holiday shopping. Ask too about areas to avoid.
When you go shopping, remember to ask yourself where you’re going to wear it or put it. — Andrea Bernholtz, reader, Calabasas So is the hotel fridge
Stay at hotels that offer a minifridge and microwave as part of the amenities. This will allow you to take restaurant leftovers to the room and enjoy them the next day. — A.M. Germs be gone Winter is cold and f lu season, so I take a small can of Lysol and spray phones, door knobs — really, anything I touch. I use disinfecting wipes on the airplane, and wipe everything I touch or put my head on — this includes the remotes and tray tables. — A.B. Getting to your departure point Schedule it
If you’re taking Uber or Lyft to the airport or train station, schedule early. Both have scheduling functions. And just in case, have a backup plan, maybe a friend who owes you a big, big favor. — C.H. FlyAway bus
The LAX FlyAway bus is one of the best deals around for transportation to the airport. Nonstop buses serve Hollywood, Long Beach, the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley, Union Station in downtown L.A., Van Nuys and Westwood.
It costs $8 to $10 each way, depending on which location you choose. You also can pay using a Metro TAP card and EZ Transit Pass, if you have stored value on the card or pass.
Check out schedules, pickup and drop-off locations and hours of operations at LAX FlyAway: lat.ms/flyaway. — M.F. Summon ride share faster at LAX
Getting through the traffic circle at LAX can take your driver awhile, especially during peak holiday times. To avoid some of this traffic, head to the Terminal 7 location and request your ride share from there.
Your driver will be able to bypass the airport traffic by taking the East Way shortcut straight to Terminal 7. You might have to walk a little, but it’ll save you wait time, allowing you to get home faster. — Ernest Shahbazian, founder, TripAstute.com Electronics Charge it
No matter if you are flying or driving, take your charger and two charging cords (one for your phone and one for the backup battery you should take). — C.H. Packing Ship it
Consider shipping your bulky winter coat, heavy boots and other cold-weather gear to your destination instead of wearing them on the cramped plane or cramming them into your suitcase. — A.H.
Ship your presents, so you won’t incur excess baggage charges for all those hefty gift books or worry about that expensive bottle of olive oil leaking. — A.H. Make a pact
My husband and I have made a “packing pact.” We take one suitcase each that we can manage ourselves. Checking a bag is especially inconvenient at the holidays when airports are really busy. If you are driving, how many bags do you want to load and unload from a car? — Ina Massler Levin, reader, Long Beach Try it out
Pack a week early, then edit your choices down. Consider what you’ll be doing and what article of clothing can double for something else. On one trip, I used a onepiece bathing suit as a top for jeans. For a party look, the same suit with a skirt was festive. Accessories, jewelry, a pocket square can be your “pop.” — I.M.L. Keep warm
Having traveled (and still traveling) to very cold climates frequently, my two essentials are lined leather gloves (waterproof ) and silk long underwear, available in a variety of weights. Both items weigh almost nothing and are easy to pack. — Michele L. Bennett, reader, Manhattan Beach Taking care of yourself Be entertained
Delays are common. Be prepared with snacks, food and a good book. Also download movies or TV shows in advance. — L.S. Apps
Need some stress reduction? The 10% Happier app, for iOS and the web, uses humor, videos and meditation maestros to help you meditate. Free seven-day trial; $79.99 for a year. — Terry Gardner, Times Travel contributor
Calm for iOS and Android offers timed breath exercises and a variety of meditation programs for stress reduction and relaxation. It’s free for a limited number of meditations; unlimited meditations are available with a paid subscription of $60 a year. — T.G.
If you need a laugh, ElfYourself by Office Depot for iOS and Android. It lets you turn yourself and others into dancing elves. Shoot a fresh photo or use one from your device library to add an elf face to an elf video. One video is free, then 99 cents per video or all for $6.99. — T.G. And f inally … Good will toward all
Be patient and kind to other travelers. We’re all in this together. — A.B