Nine 1/2 Ways to Make Holiday Travel Better (For You and Others)

The high stress, high traffic travel season is upon us. Many of us who travel for a living dread this time of year because of the increased frustrations around simple airline travel. The reasons are many, but mostly centered around persons who don't travel as much as the average business traveler, and are therefore under a higher stress level than they would be under more familiar circumstances. This stress leads to, and is caused by, many manageable factors. This guide is designed to help both the seasoned traveler and the occasional traveler alike.

Remember why you're traveling on the holidays, and try to keep "the holiday spirit". Basically, be nice. Be nice to the cab driver, the sky cap, the airline customer service agent, TSA agents, flight attendants, and most of all, your fellow travelers, who are just as upset and edgy as you are. This shouldn't be a new idea to anyone, but an ounce of kindness really goes a long way, especially during the hectic travel season.

Show up early. You've known about this trip for how long now? You planned it after last year's Christmas fiasco at your mom's house. If crowds and the anxiety of travel really are stressful for you, show up 2 hours early, at least. Three hours early if you really want to ensure that nothing will go wrong with getting your bags checked and into security. This doesn't mean get in the car 2-3 hours before your flight. This means be at the airport 2-3 hours early. Yes, this makes for a long day, but which would you rather have, one long day, or one long, nightmarishly stressful, day? One travel tip: some airports won't allow you to check in more than 4 hours before your flight. They'll claim this is due to post 9/11 this or that. They're lying, they just don't have the storage space. Call the airlines desk for the airport you're traveling out of and ask.