Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Page added on December 30, 2012

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Holiday Travel Tips

Don’t let long lines, flight delays, lost luggage, traffic jams, crowds and other travel bummers sap your yuletide cheer. With a little preparation and foresight-and a hefty dose of patience-you can avoid some of the most stressful holiday-travel. Here are some tips to get you where you’re going with your holiday cheer intact.

Before you go…

Don’t forget to bring your identification. Regardless of age, all guests require identification. Guests should ensure they also have the proper identification and travel documentation for their children. Each country on your itinerary may have different entrance and exit requirements. Before leaving, make sure the documents you use to get you there are sufficient to get you back home.

Don’t forget your passport if you’re travelling to any destination outside Canada. Be sure your passport is in good condition. Guests with passports that are damaged in some way, including rips or tears, missing corners or water damage to the cover and inside pages, may be denied entry into another country.

Make photocopies of your passports, credit cards and other ID. Leave one copy with a relative at home, and keep another copy separate from your originals.

Travel light to save hassle and money
Don’t overpack even checked luggage; overstuffed bags that must be opened for a security check are much harder to repack. Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses as backup. You don’t want your vacation ruined because you can’t see anything. Pack any medications or prescriptions in your carry-on bag and bring along enough medication to last you the entire trip. Visit your doctor to learn about potential travel health risks before you begin your trip and consider preparing a first aid kit for the road. Before departing, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Always carry your supplemental travel and health insurance policy with you and review all insurance requirements before you leave. Keep the telephone number of your insurer handy in case of emergency.

If you’re planning to bring gifts. Don’t wrap them, especially if you intend to carry them on the plane. Even in checked baggage, there is a strong chance they will be unwrapped for inspection by security personnel. Consider gift bags instead of wrapping paper this holiday season — you can easily remove the items from their bags if required and you don’t have to do a last-minute wrapping job at your destination.

Traveling with children? If you are a single parent travelling with your children, make sure you have a signed letter of permission from the other parent. You could be barred from the plane if you are unable to prove you have the right to take your children with you. Pack lots of books, games, and toys. If you’re on an extended car ride, a travel pillow/blanket might also be a good idea. Make sure your children know their home address and telephone number. Show them where to go in the airport if you get separated, and review the procedure for dealing with strangers. Make photocopies of your passports, credit cards and other ID. Leave one copy with a relative at home, and keep another copy separate from your originals.

Leave early. It’s smart to plan on getting to the airport or train station early so you’re not racing against the clock to make your departure in the midst of long lines and crowded conditions. Due to the high volume of holiday travellers, be prepared for longer wait times at the airport. We recommend guests arrive at the airport three hours prior to their scheduled time of departure. Guests can check in from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure at self-serve check-in kiosks that are available at most Canadian and U.S airports, it also offer self-serve bag-tagging, allowing guests to print and attach their bag tags as part of their check-in process.

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped us shape our business. We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the year to come. We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with Peace and Prosperity.

Holiday Travel Tips

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