Holiday Travel Tips

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday season.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, AAA estimates 90 percent of travelers will take to the nation’s roadways, eight percent will take to the air and two percent will take a bus, train or ferry.

“During the holiday season, every traveler needs to expect crowds, no matter how or where they are traveling,” Vice President of AAA Travel Wendy Weigel said, which has a   “We all know the holidays are a busy time, but travel doesn’t have to cause headaches if people plan ahead.”

By Plane

Travelers who can fly out leave on Thanksgiving Day and return the following Monday will be able to avoid most of the crowds. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after will be the busiest flying days of the year, according to Melissa Scovronski, public affairs and marketing manager for the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

“The airlines suggest arriving at least 75 minutes prior to flight time, however, we encourage people to arrive even earlier,” Weigel said. “Timing is very important when considering holiday travel. The earlier a traveler arrives, the less stress is involved.”

For families, Scovronski had these tips for navigating Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP):

• Use family lanes at each security checkpoint if you are traveling with for and don’t want to feel rushed by or hold up others waiting behind them in line.

• A family center can be found near the entrance to Concourse E with a crib, rocking chair and couches.

• The airport has installed a nursing mother’s room near gate C12 and plans on adding one to all concourses in the future. A key may be checked out for the room at the nearby information desk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• On Nov. 22 and 23, and again on Dec. 22 and 23, costumed characters will be reading books provided by The Red Balloon Bookshop every half hour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents can find them across from gate C12 right next to the childrens’ play area.

It also helpful to review the TSA list of prohibited items to avoid having them seized at the airport. Travelers with mobile phones can download or access the online TSA mobile application, which provides crowd-sourced information about security line wait times and information about airports which may experience a weather delay.

Scovronski also recommends travelers come prepared with a contingency plan, just in case.

By Road

 For those planning to go over the river and through the woods by car this year, AAA Director of public affairs Gail Weinholzer offers these safe driving tips:

• Adjust speed as appropriate for the weather and road conditions.

• Increase following distance to provide additional braking distance.

• Apply brakes gently to avoid losing control.

• Do not use cruise control when the conditions are likely to be icy or slippery.

• Buckle up.

• Let someone know where you are going, what route you will be taking, and when you expect to arrive.

• Try to avoid driving during the evening hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years when the likelihood of impaired drivers is greater.

• Never warm a vehicle in a garage or other enclosed area.

“This year, we are seeing single digit increases in all kinds of travel,” Weigel said.  “It’s a busy time of year, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle with proper planning.”