It’s that time again—get ready for a rash of alarming predictions that we’re facing another busy summer at America’s airports.
By Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler
Around 2.68 million people are expected to travel by air in the U.S. each day from June 1 through August 31, a 3.7 increase over last year, when 237.3 million travelers flew during that same summer period. That could put an enormous strain on the system, but fears of gridlock are slightly tempered by the news that investments from the TSA and airlines have started delivering results—moving people faster through the security and check-in process, for starters.
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Still, that doesn't mean things will be completely stress-free at airports. Here's what travelers can do themselves to expedite their journey from curb to gate:
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Be smart about when you fly. “One of the easiest ways to avoid airport crowds in summer is to travel at less popular times," says Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, an online travel agency. "Not only will you usually get a better priced ticket, but taking a very early morning or very late night flight will generally make for a less crowded, and therefore less stressful experience.” Klee notes that flying during certain weekdays will both be cheaper and less busy, so look for tickets on Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and avoid—if you can—traveling on Sundays. As far as months go, look at the second half of August or September for things to calm down, both internationally and domestically.
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[post_ads]Keep in mind that the "new" TSA procedures require separating electronics larger than a mobile phone from baggage and putting them into their own bins, and removing powders like dry shampoo, baby powder, and make-up from carry-ons. Carrying more than 12 ounces of powder? It will have to go in your checked bag.
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Pack light: Unless you're bringing back bags of Croatian oregano, stick to carry-on luggage ifpossible, or checking one bag for the whole family (though be careful you each have a change of clothes and other necessities in your carry-ons). Depending on where you're heading, wait to buy things like toiletries, spare batteries, and sunscreen until you get there, as these things often lead to baggage being examined. (TSA, for its part, has its own summer travel checklist, with reminders over what you can and can't pack.)
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Got a question? Contact the "AskTSA team" via Twitter at @AskTSA or via Facebook Messenger, even on weekends and holidays.
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Sign up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Passengers with these designations won’t be affected by many of the new procedures, and better yet, may even get to use their fingerprints as both boarding pass and identification. Plus, TSA PreCheck program now includes 53 airlines—many of them international.
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Reconfirm your flight details and check-in time 24 hours in advance, so you get advance warning of any unpleasant surprises, like a change in time or a downsizing in aircraft; sign up for text alerts for your flight.
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Get appy: Klee recommends turning to your phone for updates. “There are lots of great apps now to navigate the pre-flight airport experience, including airport and individual airline apps," he says. "We highly recommend making use of these tools when traveling. Often airport apps are the best way to get in-the-moment information about wayfinding, construction problems that might be affecting how to get to your gate, and flight delays or changes.” (Here, the best apps for every step of your travel journey.)
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[post_ads]International flier? Download the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol's Mobile Passport app, which is now live at 24 U.S. airports andone cruise port and lets users process United States Immigration from their phone, using a selfie snap and a few taps on the electronic customs form. Articles editor Paul Brady calls it the "quickest way to get through customs and immigration," and says it does so within 60 seconds.
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Do the little things. Even experienced travelers occasionally get tripped up by glitches in paperwork, so it’s important to keep that in mind—checking that the name on your ticket matches your photo I.D. exactly, for example. Travelers should also make sure to have six months of validity on passports when traveling internationally.
See more at: Condé Nast Traveler
See more at: Condé Nast Traveler
