Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest times of the year to travel. Airports are packed, flights fill up, and everyone is a little on edge. I've been there more times than I'd like to admit.
I once got stuck alone in Cincinnati the day before Christmas, wondering if I'd make it home to my family. Another year, a blizzard at JFK had me sleeping overnight in the airport lounge. So yes, I take holiday travel prep seriously. Here's what I tell my clients (and what I do myself) to make Thanksgiving travel a lot less stressful.
Before you leave home:
Book nonstop flights whenever you can. I always push my clients toward nonstops, even if they cost a little more. Every connection is one more chance for a delay to turn into a missed flight, and that's the last thing you want on the busiest travel week of the year.
Download your airline's app. Even if you don't fly often. This is how airlines send updates about delays, gate changes and cancellations, and it's usually faster than waiting in line to talk to someone.
Pack a few days early. Especially if you're traveling with kids. Packing the night before is how the phone charger gets left behind. IYKYK.
Get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry if you travel more than once or twice a year. It's one of the easiest ways to take stress out of the airport.
At the airport:
Arrive early. I know, I know. But on Thanksgiving week, the security lines are no joke. Give yourself more time than you think you need.
Bring your portable happy place. A playlist, a podcast, a journal, a good book. Pack one thing that helps you shift your mood when the line isn't moving. Hot tip: I like to meditate on the way to the airport. TRUST ME, it helps.
Pack an extra outfit in your carry-on. If your bag gets delayed or you get stuck overnight, you'll be so glad you did. This one has saved me more than once.
Be patient. With yourself, with the gate agents, with the person in front of you. Everyone is trying to get home to someone. You will get through this.
If something goes wrong…
Delays and cancellations happen, especially around the holidays. When my clients travel, I set up flight alerts so I know about a delay right away, and so does the team picking them up on the other end. If a flight is canceled, they don't have to figure out the next step alone. They text me and I help them find the fastest way to get where they're going. If you're traveling on your own, look up your rebooking options in the airline app before you get in the customer service line. You'll often find a new flight faster that way.
Most people underestimate the ending of a trip. Block the next day off if you can. After any big trip, I try to keep the following day free of calls and meetings. It gives you time to recover, catch up on email and actually feel rested before you jump back into work.
Thanksgiving can be such a special time to get everyone together. One of my favorite trips was a Thanksgiving I planned for a client who wanted her whole family together for the first time in years. Her kids live all over the country, so I found them a rental home in Santa Barbara, California, big enough for everyone. She told me the only reason all of them were in the same room that year was because of me. Food was eaten, secrets were shared, and memories were made.
Next year, let me plan your Thanksgiving. If you're dreaming of a family Thanksgiving somewhere new next year, now is a great time to start planning. The best homes and hotel suites go fast for holiday weeks.
If you want to learn more about working together, book a 30-minute call with me here or email me at Virginia@travelwithvirginia.com.
