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Whether traveling by plane or sleigh, it’s all about the logistics this holiday

12/19/07

INDIANAPOLIS—With a little help from eight tiny reindeer—not to mention Rudolph, the elves, and Mrs. Claus—Santa has mastered the art of air travel.

In fact, his system for quickly, efficiently delivering untold numbers of gifts around the world in a single night is sheer logistical genius.

For those without a magic sleigh, however, developing a solid plan for holiday air travel will help ensure Yuletide peace, goodwill, and cheer are firmly intact upon arrival.

PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION

Whenever possible, fly non-stop direct to your destination and avoid connecting flights through airports that are vulnerable to winter weather, including Chicago and New York. In addition, try to book your flight early in day when there are less delays and more available flights on which to rebook if a flight is cancelled.

  • Take advantage of your airline’s automated check-in options and obtain your boarding passes up to 24 hours before departure online via the Web or at ticket- counter kiosks.

  • Tag each bag, inside and out, with your name, address, and phone number. Remove all airline tags from previous trips.

  • Less is more. There is a two-item limit for carry-on bags, although if a flight is full, airlines can ask passengers to check one of them. If possible, travel with just one carry-on bag. If not, lighten your load—many airlines will charge extra (up to $100) for luggage weighing more than 50 lbs.

  • If you can’t avoid a lot of luggage, ship your belongings to your destination in advance. Firms like UPS, Federal Express, and others will pick up your bags from your home or office. Same for large, bulky, fragile, or perishable holiday gifts— mail or ship them in advance.

  • Allow plenty of time for airport parking and check-in. Ask someone else to drive you (take a car service or taxi if you don’t want to ask busy family or friends for transportation). Plan for longer-than-usual security lines. Always carry government-issued photo identification.

HE KNOWS IF YOU'VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD

Santa is watching! Arrive with a positive attitude. Improve your chances of having a good trip by getting plenty of rest before your flight—and try to leave any stress and worry at home.

  • If you see someone struggling with luggage or otherwise in need of assistance, stop and lend a hand. A little effort on your part can make a big difference to someone else.

  • If your flight is cancelled, you miss your connection, the flight is overbooked, or your luggage is lost, stop and take a deep breath. An angry outburst won’t resolve the problem, but it can negatively impact the rest of your holiday.

  • Practice good “air etiquette.” Do ask your seat-mates about their preferences for raised or closed window shades. Do cover your mouth if you need to cough. Don’t crowd your neighbor’s space. Don’t attempt to pass the time by making small talk with fellow passengers who prefer to read, listen to music, or sleep.

  • When traveling with infants, make sure you have plenty of diapers, food, and a change of clothing. Older children, including teenagers, will appreciate snacks, games, books, music, or toys to occupy themselves during the flight.

MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE

Become familiar with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lists of permitted and prohibited items. You’ll find information about traveling with musical instruments, snow skis, and many other items online at http://www.tsa.gov/.

  • Do not wrap holiday gifts; they may require inspection. Wrap after you arrive.

  • Never pack electronic devices or batteries in checked bags; pack them in your carry-on bag. Remove batteries from toys and electronic items.

  • Pack an empty bag inside your luggage if you expect you’ll be carrying presents home on the return flight.

  • Keep medications in carry-on bags rather than checked luggage.

  • Know the 3-1-1- rule. Liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on baggage must be in 3 oz. or smaller containers placed in a one-quart zip-top bag that can be put in a security bin separately (i.e., take it out of your carry-on bag) for screening. Only one zip-top bag is allowed per passenger. Any liquids, gels, or aerosols that do not fit in the one-quart zip-top bag must be packed in checked luggage. Exceptions are medications and baby formula, which can be carried onboard in containers larger than 3 oz.

  • Pack snacks. A sandwich, fruit, nuts, or energy or protein bars will help take the edge off. Buy bottled water AFTER you get through the screening checkpoint and try to drink eight (8) ounces for every hour you fly.

HARK THE HERALD

Is your flight on time, delayed, or cancelled? Before leaving the warmth of hearth and home, check the status of your flight online:

  1. Click “Check My Flight” from the airport’s home page at http://www.indianapolisairport.com. Then click arrivals or departures for information about scheduled and estimated arrival times, gates, and flight status that is updated every 30 seconds.
  2. Obtain real-time airport status and the latest information on flight delays in the U.S. from the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Their color-coded, state-by-state flight delay information is available at www.fly.faa.gov and includes delays ranging from 15 minutes, 45 minutes, more than 45 minutes, and airport closures.
  3. IND subscribes to OAGflights.com, an online reference service listing departure and arrival times, airline and flight numbers, type of aircraft, and connecting airports. From “Check My Flight” at www.indianapolisairport.com, click the graphic labeled “OAG.

OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

The Air Transport Association (ATA) forecasts 47 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines between Thursday, Dec. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 2, a number comparable to last year's traffic volume. The four busiest days are expected to be:

  • Friday, Dec. 21
  • Thursday, Dec. 27
  • Wednesday, Dec. 26
  • Wednesday, Jan. 2

On these days, ATA estimates that daily traffic will average upward of 2.5 million passengers.

The two least busy travel days are anticipated to be Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Dec. 24, respectively, each with an average of 1.9 million passengers.

To manage high traffic volumes and assist passengers whose plans change due to weather, ATA reports airlines are increasing staffing. Many will provide customers with up-to-the-minute notifications of delays or changes by sending updates to wireless devices up to 24 hours in advance. Carriers continue to expand available information on their Web sites, flight status, seat availability, timetables, etc.

According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data provided by Federal Security Director David Kane, passenger preliminary estimates for Indianapolis International Airport are:

  • December 21: 15,500–16,000
  • December 22: 14,600
  • December 23: 15,000
  • December 24: 13,500
  • December 25: 12,500–13,000
  • December 26: 16,500