Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by CK May is the month of flowers not just in the Philippines but also here in Calgary. A lot of my neighbors have done their spring cleaning and unfortunately I cannot cope up with them. I remember that during this time of the year my husband, Hank gets busier day by day. He takes care [...]
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Page added on December 24, 2011

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Travelaero Tips

December travel can be hectic between the crowded airports and inclement weather. Here are travel tips to ease your chaotic Christmas holiday and help your journey be as safe and smooth as possible.

Think ahead. Be prepared for flight delays and complete confusion that inevitably ensues this time of year.

Confirm your flight. Call your travel planner, asks if there’s any change in your travel itinerary at least 72 hours before your travel date.

Check in online in the 24 hours before your flight and save yourself a lot of standing around at the airport.

Leave at least 2 hours before the flight. You will not have to worry while standing in long queues for check-in, security and immigration. It will also give you time to use the restroom before you board; you will not be able to get out of your airplane seat for 20 to 30 minutes after takeoff.

Bring a carry-on with a change of clothes and some basic toiletries. If your flight were to become grounded or canceled during a layover, then it is likely that you won’t be able to recover your checked baggage. Having some basic supplies with you will get you through a night in a hotel much more comfortably.

Pack light. It’s hard to pack light at Christmas but it does make life easier, as well as help you avoid excess-baggage charges. If arriving at your destination well before Christmas Day, consider doing at least some of your shopping when you get there, as airlines have little Christmas spirit when it comes to overweight bags.

If you’re traveling with children, then pack plenty of snacks and distractions. Airlines are increasingly charging for even the most basic of snacks. Some of the worst have eliminated amenities. Crackers, nuts, fruit snacks, cookies–all make for convenient and portable snacks. Crayons and coloring books, small puzzles, books and handheld game systems are all great forms of portable entertainment.

Keep a copy of your travel itinerary someplace where it is easily accessible and will not become lost or stolen. Leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Emailing your itinerary to yourself is an excellent way to create an electronic document. Likewise, it is a good idea to have a photocopy or scan of your identification.

Never pack your identification in luggage that will be checked. Always carry your picture ID, especially passports and driver’s licenses, on your person. Take copies of your documentation and keep it separate from the originals. Keep your children’s original documents with your own and copies with your copies.

In the airport, be polite. It may seem simple, but the heavier travel gets and the more problems occur, the more the airline employees hate their jobs. In the worst of situations, take time to say please and thank you. Remember, the staff are doing their best to get thousands of passengers on the right planes at the right times – it’s not in an airline’s interest to take off -late.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays.

Travelaero Tips

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