Since Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest travel weekend of the year, it makes sense to review some basic strategies. Since I'm traveling this weekend, I'm doing my best to make my trip uneventful, seamless and downright boring. To me -- that's a perfect travel day.
The day before you travel, review your itinerary. Do you have your airline confirmation number? You'll need it to check in online or at an airport kiosk. Do you have seat assignments? If not, now is the time to pick up the phone and call your travel agent or your airline and get them. If you purchased your ticket from the airline's website, you may be able to access your reservation online and tie up that loose end. Make sure your mileage number is in the reservation, so you get credit for your flight.
Are you planning on checking any luggage? I hope not. It's really a bad idea -- and airlines are making it more expensive to do so. The more I travel, the more I am committed to the carry-on lifestyle. It's a discipline to keep your luggage down to one carry-on. No beverages. No knives. No Leatherman. No pistol. I have one of the fancy roll-aboard bags from Magellan's, plus a backpack that has room for my laptop and all its cords.
Before you head for the airport, go ahead and check in for your flight -- and print your boarding pass. This will save you time once you arrive at the airport. If you have no bags to check (hint-hint), proceed directly to security. If you need to check your bags -- go stand in line. While your bathroom scale may provide some anecdotal reference as to how much your checked luggage may or may not weigh, it is the airline scale that matters. Be prepared to shuffle things around at the last minute if your Samsonite weighs in at 50.001 pounds.
Also, check to see if your flight is on time. With Alaska Airlines, there's a place on their website called "Day of Flight." There, you can check the status of your flight. It's best to check before you leave for the airport, that's for sure!
Don't be late to the airport, though. My family hates it, but I always arrive at the airport two hours prior to scheduled departure. This is especially important on peak travel days. The security line could be super-slow, or something else could gum up the works -- and you'll be glad you got there early. It's always best to get someone to take you to the airport. That way -- you get a ride right to the curb, instead of hauling your bags through the parking lot. Plus -- the lots may be full at peak holiday travel times.
Are you ready for your flight? If you want to buy anything on board, including drinks, a snack or DVD player, you'll need a credit card. I always bring my laptop if I want to watch a movie. And the onboard snacks? Hmm -- nothing to shout about. I think you're better off getting a sandwich from Quizno's instead.
Oh -- be sure and bring your own pillow and blanket. Alaska Airlines doesn't provide them any more. You can buy the little bean-bag pillows at Penney's -- or at gift shops at the airport. Rather than mess with a blanket, I just wear my coat.
Did you make reservations for a car or a hotel once you arrive? You might want to have those confirmation numbers handy for when you arrive. These days, you can speed up your car rental by putting in your personal information when you make your online reservation. Think about it--that could move you to the front of the line after a busy flight.
Don't forget your cell phone. There's just no substitute for it when you're traveling. It's silly to even pick up the phone in your hotel room -- you're just asking for extra charges. Remember, though: get one of the hands-free earbud/microphone plug-ins for your phone. It's illegal in many states to chat on a cell phone when you're driving without one of the hands-free devices.
The phone also comes in handy if your flight is delayed or canceled. Chances are you'll have to stand in line to be rebooked. While you're at it -- just call the airline and get rebooked over the phone.
Another handy device when you're on the road is the wireless internet card for your laptop computer. Typically, these fit into the USB plug on your computer and give you access to high-speed internet through the local cell-phone network. All of the major ISPs offer this add-on. My card from GCI costs me $20 per month. It's a handy device to short-circuit the pay-per-use scams at airports and hotels. Also, I've found internet access through the card to be faster than many of the free internet connections at coffee shops.
If you have a layover at the Seattle airport, the food court really has some great grub. I think Anthony's has the best fish tacos around. There's great Mexican food, plus a high-end wine bar that serves good stuff by the glass! If you're taking another flight from Sea-Tac, consider getting a salad from Wolfgang Puck's restaurant on the C Concourse. They really do a great job. The other shops, including ExOfficio and Life Is Good, are great for window shopping. If you're still shopping for Christmas presents, Life is Good is a must-see.
So -- don't be late. And be prepared for delays or changes. Bring along a good portion of patience and gratitude for the folks who are working under pressure to make sure you get to where you're going.
Online resources:
Flight Stats. See for yourself which flights historically arrive on time. www.flightstats.com
Magellans. This place has all the travel accessories you'll ever need, including pillows and blankets. www.magellans.com
Anchorage Airport. Alaska Airlines is at the South terminal. So is Continental. Check the website to see the latest construction updates. www.anchorageairport.com
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.