Minimizing Airport Holiday Craziness

With what is typically the busiest time of year only days away in this, a record year for air travel, you'd best be prepared for headaches if you're flying anywhere for Thanksgiving.

But even if you're one of the estimated 4.8 million Anericans taking to the skies, there are ways to cut down on any inconvenience from packed airports and full flights, says Travelocity Editor at Large Amy Ziff.

On The Early Show Monday, she told co-anchor Harry Smith the first thing is perhaps the most obvious: Expect to see crowds.

"For the past couple of years," Ziff said, "the Transportation Security Administration has moved people very smoothly through security. Last year, we looked at (only) five-minute averages to get through some of the fastest airports, 20 minutes at the longest. This year, if you can get through security in 20 minutes, you'll be lucky. People need to be prepared to wait 45 minutes, maybe even longer in some airports. You've got to allow at least two hours at the airport for processing.

"And (with virtually every seat full) you can't afford to miss your flight. Start thinking about this from home: 'What can I do to make things easier?' "

First off, packing properly helps, Ziff pointed out.

"Keep all your valuables with you," she suggested. "When you get to the airport, and you are checking in, make sure the bag tag is going to the appropriate city. We're looking at seeing more bags lost this year. Not a pretty picture. So you want to mitigate the circumstances should you get separated from your bag. Check in from home if you can."

How does that work?

"Basically, if you can get online, most airlines will now let you print your boarding pass out at home. Go to the airport and the first thing you're doing is heading to security, unless you need to check a bag. Then you have to stop and do that."

How do you decide whether to check your bags or carry them on board?

"That's going to depend," Ziff explained. "If you are going and you can get all of your liquids, toothpaste, shaving cream, moisturizer, etc., into small enough containers, three ounces or less, and you have a quart-sized baggy, it cannot be a gallon, it cannot be a sandwich size, and must be a quart-size and it has to zip; if you can do that and adhere to the rules, go for it. It's easier to have your bags with you; if anything happens, you have more flexibility holding onto your bags. But if you cannot, and many people can't, then you must check. Then, it's just easier to check everything; keep your valuables with you and your medications. That's key."

Another tip: With more bag being oost as volume rises, "Carry a change of clothes, especially if you're going to a different climate from where you are starting, because you want to make sure you have what you need. Most bags catch up with you 24 to 36 hours later. It's not necessarily fun but, hey, if you prepare, you can deal with it a lot more easily."