Airport survival guide
Travel experts share tips for fliers who may be intimidated by the airport experienceAbout 24 million people are expected to fly during this Thanksgiving holiday seasonOnline check in can save you some hassles and maybe even some moneyHoliday travel rush, beefed up screening mean it's crucial to arrive at the airport early(CNN) The crowds. The lines. The security and scanning. The sprint to the gate. All of it can overwhelm air travelers especially during the holiday rush but it doesn't have to be that way.And as security measures continue to ramp up,herve leger, with pat downs and new scans, navigating overbooked flights, overflowing airports just got a bit more dicey.We asked travel experts to provide tips to make the airport experience a smooth one,insanity, especially if you haven't flown since last holiday season.But first, be aware that you'll have lots of company in your quest to share a turkey dinner with relatives.It's estimated that 42.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving,free run, according to AAA and IHS Global Insight. That's an 11 percent increase from last year, when 37.9 million people traveled during the holiday.Complete coverage: Holiday travelAnd about 24 million people will be crammed into airplanes,cheap beats, a 3.5 percent increase over last year,christian louboutin, according to the Air Transport Association of America,ralph lauren polo, which represents some of the nation's biggest airlines.The busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving,tiffany's, followed by the Monday after the holiday, the ATA said. The Friday before Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday before the holiday will be the other peak travel days.The least busy travel day? The holiday itself: Thursday,nike shoes, November 25.No matter what day you fly, here are five tips to survive the airport this holiday season.1. Hit the web before you head for the airportLet modern technology save you some hassles and maybe even some money. Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave,juicy couture outlet, and print your boarding pass at home."This allows you to secure your seat assignment, double check for any schedule changes . and decrease your chances of getting bumped if your flight is oversold," said Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor at Travelocity.New since the holidays last year: More carriers now allow you to check in from your smartphone and use a digital bar code on the screen to pass through the airport.If you're using this option, save the bar code as a photo on your device, which will make it much easier to retrieve at security and at the gate, advised Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights.If you're checking bags, many airlines have raised their fees this year, but some offer discounts if you prepay during the online check in. Delta and Continental, for example, take $2 off the first bag and $3 off the second if you pay online when you check in for your flight on the carrier's website."Know before you go," Saltzburg said.Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go2. Pack lightAvoid checked bag fees altogether by bringing carry on luggage only. (Be sure to check with your carrier on the maximum size of bags allowed in the overhead bins.)You can head straight for the security line when you arrive at the airport and skip the baggage carousel after your flight lands at your destination.New since the holidays last year: Spirit Airlines now charges a fee for carry ons that passengers place in the overhead bins. (Each traveler can still bring one personal item that fits under a seat for free, such as a purse or briefcase.)Every other airline allows one piece of luggage and one personal item to be carried on for free by every ticketed passenger,abercrombie and fitch, Brown said.3. Give yourself plenty of timeTripAdvisor recommends getting to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours before an international trip, Saltzburg said.It's especially important to get to the airport early during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel rush, because the many inexperienced fliers and families with children who are venturing out during the holidays will probably slow down the security process.





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