It’s the Busiest Time of the Year

Avoid the crowd and delays with these traveling tips during the busiest holiday travel season ever!

Not only is it the most wonderful time of the year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects this holiday traveling season to be the busiest one to date. With seven of the top 10 busiest days in TSA history already taking place this year, and June 30th holding the record at 2.9 million TSA screenings,  this holiday season is shaping up to break even more records. 

Traveling on any given day can already be stressful, but adding the business of the holidays can make it a worst nightmare for some. With 30 million people expected to go through TSA checkpoints this holiday season, delays will be inevitable. 

But, here are some of our best tips to reduce stress and speed up your travels for the holidays. 

1. Avoid traveling during peak traveling days and hours.  According to the Travel Channel, the peak travel days around Christmas are the “Friday before and the Monday after.” So travel on different days to avoid significant delays. The first and last flights of the day tend to be the cheapest and least busy as well. 
2. CNN says that “flying direct and choosing the first flight of the day” can minimize delays and missed connections. 
3. If you are unfamiliar with an airport, look ahead to have a general idea of where you need to go for parking, checking your bags, security, and your gate. 
4. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before boarding a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight to allow for plenty of time to park, check your bags, go through security and navigate the airport. 
5. To skip the main security line, consider applying for TSA PreCheck. According to the TSA, most TSA PreCheck members wait less than five minutes at the checkpoint. 
6. It’s also a good idea to download your airline’s app. It will keep all of your boarding passes available electronically and send you notifications for important information or changes.  
7. Research how to get from the airport to your rental home or hotel before takeoff, that way you can find better prices and avoid scams without stress. 
8. If you have plans to visit popular attractions, consider making reservations in advance if possible. Some attractions may sell out or have long wait times. 

According to FOX Business,  TSA has said they will do their best to “maintain wait time standards of under 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck lanes and under 30 minutes for standard screening lanes.” However, there is only so much TSA can do. To help them shorten delays and wait times, here are some tips for getting through security as swiftly as possible. 

• Start off packing with completely empty bags. This will help ensure you are not accidentally bringing anything that could warrant security stops on your trip. 
• Make sure you pack no more than 3 ounces of each liquid item. Keep all your liquids in a clear bag. Don’t forget to empty your water bottles. 
• Have your ID and boarding passes in hand and ready to go!
• Lastly, be sure to bring your smile. It is the holiday season after all, and treating everyone with a little forgiveness and kindness can go a long way. 

For those traveling by road, unfortunately, it will not be any better. According to FOX Business, AAA is projecting 55.4 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the holidays. That is 2.3 percent more than last year and the third highest travel season since they began tracking in 2000. So, if you have to travel on a busy road, be sure to leave early to leave room for traffic delays. 

Delays will be likely no matter your mode of transportation, so make the most of the holidays by implementing our tips into your travel plans.