Be a Smart Traveler This Holiday Season

Gathering as much information as you can before you leave home is a smart way to cut down on the stress of holiday travel. Here are a few tips and apps that will help you to know before you go.

1. Download My TSA is an app that gives you great travel info. Just select the airport you’re departing from and you’ll get information about real time delays and the wait times at various security check points along with everything you need to know about what you can carry on and how to dress to speed up your check-in time.

2. Ship your gifts whenever possible. Not only will you avoid having to drag cumbersome packages through crowded airports, but also, you’ll probably be saving money because of increasing charges for both checked and carry-on luggage. And if you must carry gifts with you, don’t wrap them. They will be opened and your expensive gift wrap (not to mention the time you spent wrapping) will be tossed in the trash.

3. Be aware of local laws and regulations in the city to which you are traveling (and from which you will also be leaving). Within the United States, the Transportation Security Administration web site warns that.  “It is a passenger’s responsibility to be aware that origination and destination cities may have local laws prohibiting the possession of [specific items].” Go to tsa.gov to find out what’s allowed and what’s not.

4. Check out The Smart Traveler app, provided by the U.S. Department of State, will give you important information about any country you might be visiting, including any new travel warnings, safety issues, the current political situation, local rules and laws to be aware of, and U.S. embassy locations, among other useful information.

In addition, other countries may have rules that differ from ours. For example, I was departing Heathrow recently when a jar of my Egyptian Magic Skin Creme (its a solid olive oil, bees wax, and honey) I’d had in my carry-on luggage throughout many (domestic and international) trips was confiscated because Heathrow officials determined that it was a “paste,” and pastes in the UK are considered “liquids.” So check the airport web site in the country of your destination to avoid being unpleasantly surprised.

5. While most checked luggage is screened electronically, there may be a reason why the TSA finds it’s necessary to open a bag. If you’ve locked your luggage and the TSA can’t open it, your lock will be smashed. To avoid this, buy a lock that can be opened by security with a master key. They’re easily available at airports, many travel stores, and online.