FYI Travel Tips

Welcome to this feature designed to make travel hassle-free—
brought to you by Von Thomas Travel Center. Enjoy!

Holiday Air Travel Checklist

Here are four timely tips for this peak travel season from the Fodor's "Travel Intelligence." Safe and happy travels!

1. Unwrap your gifts.
If Transportation Security Administration personnel need to inspect your packages, they will unwrap them. (Advance planners know to ship gifts ahead to avoid shopping at the last minute and lugging stuff all over.) One savvy traveler suggested "using those handy gift bags where you can cover over the present with colored crepe paper and simply lift off the paper to show the bag's contents."

2. Prepare your entertainment and electronics for delays.
In addition to packing extra patience, all plugged-in travelers should be ready for times when electronics aren't allowed: bring assorted reading material like a magazine, book, sodoku or crossword book (and pen), for times when you have to turn off your e-reader, like taking off and landing. Also, for energy boosts en route: Keep a cell phone charger in a carry-on bag—you can plug in your phone as you talk if there's a long delay and you never know when you'll lose luggage."

3. Consider a car service to and from the airport.
Finding a cab in peak travel seasons can be hard. To avoid being stranded at such times, book a car service. Unless you splurge on a stretch limo, it probably won’t cost that much more than a regular cab. But when you actually call the place, you had better tell them 'please send a car,' not 'please send a limo.'"

4. Get insider info about potential delays.
Gate assignments do change and sometimes the gate agents are making announcements about delays, etc. that are not posted. Check out the situation before walking all the concourses end to end or hitting the stores or a restaurant. xxx

Decrease Your Travel Hassles:

How to get through airport security checkpoints problem-free
Reprinted excerpts from the Transportation Security Administration website | US Dept. of Homeland Security (www.tsa.gov)

Everyone who travels by air goes through airport security checkpoints. These checkpoints are operated by Transportation Security Officers from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The checkpoints are there to make sure that no one can bring anything aboard the plane that would enable them to take it over or destroy it. These are called "prohibited items" and cannot be brought to a checkpoint, into the secure area of an airport, or aboard an aircraft.

Not only do all passengers go through checkpoints, their checked baggage is also screened. This may happen out of passengers' view depending on the physical configuration at each airport.

It's a good idea to prepare before you arrive at the airport so that you move more quickly and efficiently through the security process. Here are some suggestions to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Here are TSA guidelines to make going through security checks less of a hassle:

Certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints:

Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in your being directed to additional screening for a pat-down inspection. If selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets.
Place heavy jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage or in plastic bags if they are offered, until you clear security.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sport coats and blazers. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you.

Gel-filled bras are permitted through security screening and aboard aircraft.

Do You HAVE TO Remove Your Shoes?

Yes, you are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. This includes all types of footwear, including sandals. Officers need to screen all shoes to ensure that they haven’t been tampered with.

Please remove your shoes before entering the metal detector and put them directly on the belt to go through the X-ray machine instead of in a bin with your other items. It’s safe, easy, and gives them a better look at your shoes so they won’t need to rescreen them.

If you have a disability, medical conditions or a prosthetic device that prevents you from removing your shoes, please notify the security officer. You will be given additional screening that includes a visual and physical inspection as well as explosives trace detection sampling of the footwear while it remains on your feet.

Keep it Simple!

Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets. Put these in your carry-on, or in a plastic bag. This keeps lines moving and your experience more pleasant.

Pack your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets that you are carrying must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either pack it in your carry-on baggage or put it in one of the bins we provide.

You may be additionally screened because of hidden items such as body piercings, which alarmed the metal detector. If you are selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to a pat-down search. xxx

Leave home without Fido? I don't think so.

     Created for pet owners that choose to travel with their four-legged friends, ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine's Pet Travel Directory serves up the latest listings in pet-friendly travel across North America.

     They're making it easy for you to pack and go with pets in tow. To check out what hotels and resorts are offering up purrr-fect packages in your area (or favorite travel destination), refer to a state location chart at the website below.

     They've also included some special pet boarding facilities (for day trips that can't accommodate the furry ones), pet day care, and pet parks to help you in the planning process.

     From comfy B&Bs to over-the-top ritzy--think doggie massages at the Ritz-Carlton--they've got your pet travel needs covered. xxx

For pet travel advice, call the office. We'll help you find pet-friendly accommodations in the USA and Canada.

FYI Travel Tips–Compliments of Von Thomas Travel Center

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Grace Von Thomas, Chief Executive Officer • grace.von@verizon.net

Not responsible for errors or omissions in the printing of this communication.