For women going places

With Thanksgiving just over two weeks away, you may be getting ready to firm up your travel plans, book your flights and fortify your mental state as stressful thoughts fill your head about possible delays, cancellations and over-bookings. There is a little hope for avoiding that moment when you realize your holiday travel really will be filled with more turkeys than the one you’ll be enjoying at Aunt June’s. Though it may take a little more planning, you could pick a less busy airport. Really, there are some. The Orbitz Insider Index has just released its Top 10 list of least busy Thanksgiving airport alternatives.

1. Akron/Canton Regional, Akron OH (CAK)
2. Oakland International, Oakland, CA (OAK)
3. Dane County Regional, Madison, WI (MSN)
4. Chicago Midway, Chicago, IL (MDW)
5. Providence T.F. Green International, Providence, RI (PVD)
6. San Jose International, San Jose, CA (SJC)
7. Nashville International, Nashville, TN (BNA)
8. Palm Beach International, West Palm Beach, FL (PBI)
9. John Wayne International, Orange Co, CA (SNA)
10. Bradley International, Hartford, CT (BDL)

According to the Air Transport Association of America, about 24 million people will be flying domestically over the Thanksgiving holiday, a 3.5 percent increase over last year.

If you’re one of them – here are the airports expected to be the busiest according to Orbitz:

1. O’Hare International, Chicago (ORD)
2. Los Angeles International, Los Angeles (LAX)
3. Boston Logan International, Boston (BOS)
4. New York LaGuardia, New York (LGA)
5. San Francisco International, San Francisco (SFO)
6. Denver International, Denver (DEN)
7. JFK International, New York (JFK)
8. Newark Liberty International, Newark, NJ (EWR)
9. Atlanta Hartsfield, Atlanta (ATL)
10. Washington Ronald Reagan National, Washington, D.C. (DCA)

So obviously, if you’re taking off from one of these spots, planning is key.
Here are some tried and true Woman Road Warrior tips for smooth sailing:

-Start the day with your game face on – expect the best but be prepared to adapt as the day goes on. Make sure you’ve got all the relevant numbers on your speed dial: airlines, travel agent or travel site customer service and car rental. Get busy looking for alternatives at the first sign of trouble
-If you haven't made your plane reservations yet book the first flight out. You'll have the entire day to deal with delays.
-Check in the night before and print your boarding passes at home.
-In your carry-on: a wrap for chilly airplanes, enough food/drink for 6 hour delay, bacterial wipes, iPod, straw.
-Pack light and never check your luggage, that way you avoid fees, lost bags and delays.
-Prepare for the security check line by wearing clothes/shoes you can easily slip off and on. Keep boarding passes, I.D. handy in an easily accessible pocket in your bag and place your laptop in a separate bin. Liquids still need to be in a separate plastic bag.
-And if you’re stuck on a plane, technology can help! Twitter your predicament. Most airlines now monitor social media for customer complaints.

Safe Travels,

Road Reporter Vicki Zwart

Labels: airport security, busiest airport, LaGuardia, O'Hare, Orbitz, Thanksgiving, travel