Take this advice, Thanksgiving fliers
It’s no secret that you’ll have lots of company at the airport if you’re flying for Thanksgiving. A record 28.5 million passengers are expected to stream through U.S. airports during a 12-day period around the holiday, according to projections from Airlines for America. That total would shatter the Thanksgiving record of 27 million passengers last year. What should you know if you’re headed to the airport soon? Plenty. Some tips are constant: Arrive early. Brace for crowds. Pack smart. That advice changes little from year to year. But there are some updates for 2017.
What’s new?
There are some recent security changes in place. Topping the list is a new requirement by the Transportation Security Administration that all electronics larger than a cellphone must be removed from carry-on bags for screening. Fliers will be required to place these items in bins to go through scanning. Eligible fliers selected to use the PreCheck lines will be exempt.
Busiest days
Airports will see a steady rush throughout the holiday period, but Thanksgiving is notorious for two peak days: the Wednesday before and the Sunday after.
The busiest day of the period is likely
to be Sunday. It will be one of the busier air travel days of the year: About 2.88 million passengers are expected at airports, according to Airlines for America. The next busiest day will be Wednesday. The lightest day will be Thursday — Thanksgiving Day.
Extra time for busy terminals
Aside from busy terminals and long lines at check-in and security, expect heavier-than-usual traffic on entrance roadways, parking shuttles and public transportation. Inside the terminal, heavy crowds may lead to backups at check-in counters and security lines.
A good rule of thumb for Thanksgiving: Arrive at the airport 45 to 60 minutes earlier than you normally would. You’ll be glad you did. If your airport is especially prone to long holiday lines, consider arriving up to 90 minutes earlier than normal. Remember: If you miss your flight, this is a tough time of the year to find empty seats on other flights.
Pack smart
Pack your carry-ons with security lines in mind. Unless you’re eligible for the TSA’s PreCheck lines, laptops and liquids must come out separately to go through the screening checkpoints.
Most liquids are prohibited from carry-ons unless they are in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and are held in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag. (See the TSA’s full “3-1-1” rules on liquids).
Pack so your laptops, liquids and other items can be quickly taken in and out of your luggage to help speed you through security.
If you’re bringing presents, hold off on wrapping them. The TSA doesn’t prohibit wrapped presents, but it warns that you may have to unwrap them if something raises alarms.
Potential trouble spots
Watch the weather starting as early as 72 hours leading up to your flight. It may be sunny and warm where you are, but there could be problems between you and your destination. Snow, wind, rain and poor visibility are some of the most common weather problems for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
In some cases, airlines will issue weather waivers that may allow you to move your flight at no cost to avoid weather-related disruptions.
Keep phones handy
If your flight is canceled or delayed and you need to book a new flight, you can call the airline’s reservation number to ask for help in getting a new flight. Many airlines have added rebooking features on their mobile apps that allow customers to select new flights during “irregular” operations.
Pack your patience
The golden rule of travel is especially important during the holiday rush. When things get stressful, take a deep breath and smile. A courteous nod to a fellow traveler will increase the chances he’ll be courteous to you.