Thanksgiving 7-Day Travel Checklist

Day 7

• Ship packages - Check new TSA rules as to what is and isn't acceptable in carry-on (food)
• Determine pet strategy (Make phone calls if necessary)
• Arrange transportation (1 week in advance for air travel, last opportunity for savings)
• Car rental - Look at off-site locations if airports are booked. Saves money - no airport taxes and most car rental places allow you to return at the airport with no additional charge.

Day 6

• Take clothes to dry cleaners
• Purchase all remaining gifts (Don't wrap if going by air)
• Do you need to suspend mail service?
• Suspend newspaper service, if necessary

Day 5

• If bringing desserts, make shopping list
• Sign-up for Groupon.com in destination city
• Start monitoring weather in home and destination cities

Day 4

• Determine how you're getting to your home city airport
• Arrange transportation if necessary
• Pick-up dry cleaning

Day 3

• Enter airline, hotel, travel agent, travel site customer service and car rental numbers into speed dial
• If you made flight arrangements months in advance, verify flight times and I.D.'s match names given
• Enter ICE (In Case of Emergency) into cell phone contacts list
• Make dessert(s)

Day 2

• Pack - If traveling with mutiple people be sure to swap outfits between luggage
• Check-in for flight - If checking luggage, print extra itinerary and put in checked luggage
• Deliver animals to sitter
• Pack snacks - assume a six-hour delay
• Double check weather - If there are weather challenges, check airline website and see if any restrictions or changes are in place

Day 1 - Travel Day

• Pack your patience
• Pack snacks
• Luggage
• Family
• Remember 3-1-1 (3oz or smaller for liquids or gel, 1 quart zip lock bag for 3 oz containers per person)
• Allow plenty of time to get through security
• Get started working on alternates at the first signs of a delay
• Kill 'em with kindness