Holiday Air Travel

Traveling for the holidays is always hectic, throw air travel into the mix and you’ve created a scenario to test the patience of most saints. I’m not the biggest fan of air travel. Maybe if it still retained an air of glamor and mystery (and lobster — a girl can dream). But, I’ve learned what it takes to make my holiday air travel easier and more efficient so as to enjoy my trip and not stress out.

Most of these tips are common knowledge, some common sense. No matter what, they are designed to help you save time traveling and hopefully save the headache that a trip to the airport bar for overpriced drinks won’t help.

• Don’t check your luggage. Roll your clothes to prevent wrinkling and mix and match outfits. You can wear a dress three different ways in one week, especially if it’s a neutral color.

• Wear shoes that slip on and off easily. I prefer a simple pair of Clarks loafers for air travel. They are comfortable, I can sprint in them if needed and anything looks better than flip-flops and bare feet.

• If you can pack your coat in your suitcase before going thru security, do it. Nothing says “inconvenient” when you’re having to shuck layers of clothing in order to go thru security. (I also put my jewelry, minus my wedding band, in my carry-on.)

• Electronics (phone, iPod, etc) can be put in your bag as well. Everything goes thru the scanner once and your not trying to empty your pockets, struggling with your jacket, removing your shoes, all the while joyfully awaiting the mandatory TSA feel-up. The only thing I have on me when I’m going thru security these days is my ID. Everything else is in my bag.

• Have your boarding pass ready. I also utilize my smartphone and have everything opened with my travel information

• Take your laptop out of its case.

• Separate your liquids to easily place them on the conveyor belt. You’re only allowed a quart-sized Ziploc bag, so pare your beauty routine down, or stock up on samples.

While this is just a small sampling of what you can do, every little bit counts with our hectic schedules. I’ll be sharing my absolute favorite app for travel prep on Thursday to help you pinch a little more time out of your day.