World Travellers

Kelly Liyakasa our expert of the day, writes:

If you’re going away for the holidays this year, you’re probably unhappily anticipating a hike in gas prices, long lines at airport security and delays all-around. According to the Bureau of Transportation, Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season are the busiest long-distance travel times in a given year. While travelers cannot avoid hefty waits at check-in and traffic on the highway, there are plenty of measures to take in order to alleviate any holiday season travel stress.

• Know when to travel: For local excursions, people tend to leave on Thursdays. If traveling over 100 miles away, Wednesday through Sunday are the most popular days.

• About 90% of Thanksgiving travel is through one’s vehicle.

• The Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving are the busiest days to travel back home. If you book a flight or drive on Tuesday, you’ll avoid a lot of traffic.

Mario Churchill our expert of the day, writes:

Since the horror of 9/11, airport security has become tighter than ever before. Every year they develop more rules about what you can and cannot take on a flight. Many of the items that could cause you to be held up by security are items that you would not think to leave out of your carry on or luggage. Some items can be packed into your luggage but not carried on the plane. Before you fly for the first time, make sure you check over these travel tips for the first time flier.

One of the best travel tips you will ever get is to err on the side of caution. If you are not sure of what can be carried onto the plan or put in your luggage, it is not something that you absolutely need, and/or it is something that you can buy when you get there, leave it at home. Not only will this travel tip keep you from spending eternity with airport security, it will lighten your load!