November 30, 2001, Newsletter Issue #54: Preparing for Holiday Travel
Tip of the Week
* Arrive to the airport at LEAST 2 hours before scheduled take off.
* Don`t attempt to carry on any item which could possibly be considered a weapon. This includes any size knife, a corkscrew, knitting needle, or a medical syringe (call the airline to get details on a waiver if you need carry-on medication.)
* Pets: if they`re flying or driving with you, research airline requirements and hotel acceptance policies. If they`re not going with you, make reservations at a local kennel. They will require proof of up-to-date shots.
* If the travel season sees you leaving the US, verify the necessary documention for departure and return to the US (passport, proof of citizenship, or visa)
* Send gifts or packages now to out-of-staters. Even if you will be going "home" for Christmas, you do not want to drag presents through the airport, have packages lost, inspected or contents broken. Do it now, wrap them first, and have them sent UPS or best cost ground service. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will become. Insure.
* Carry on limits have been severely curtailed; in 2001, one carry on as well as a purse or briefcase is the maximum. If you are going to carry a gift, don`t bother to wrap it, because security will want to know what`s in the box.
* Confirm seats, special meals or other needs with the airlines. Ditto special requests of hotels. Order trip-tiks or required maps for road trips.
* If you`re going to another country, buy some currency in advance..enough to get you into a cab, and buy a meal upon arrival. Avoid airport lines at the exchange counter. Order through travel agents or larger banks. May take a few days.
* Decide which credit cards you`ll actually need and leave the rest at home. Acquire travelers checks, if needed.
* Call around to local airport cheapie hotels; ask if they have a park-and-fly package. Some allow a week`s parking free if you stay the night before. Possibly more convenient for early flights and cheaper than long-term parking.
* Ask a friend or neighbor to drop you off and pick you up at the airport. Or, price a roundtrip cab versus airport parking. (See if a car-less friend would like to have use of your car for the length of your trip, with the payment being your transfer- if so, give insurance card, etc. to them.)
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Passports and other ID for travel
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THIS IS ACCURATE FOR U.S. CITIZENS (Born here). If you are going to leave the US, even to go to Canada or Mexico, you should bring with you proof of citizenship. This is used primarily to return to the US, not as a requirement of the other country. The very best proof is a passport. For about $100 you can have photos taken, get your application processed, wait a couple of weeks (longer in peak seasons), and be set for 10 years. Other methods normally accepted for proof of citizenship include: an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, military discharge, and expired passport, or naturalization papers. Not accepted are: social security card, drivers license, any credit card, voterīs registration (because every district is unique-easily faked), a marriage license, or a "green card" which is used by resident aliens to show they legally reside in the US.
A visa is permission from a country to enter their borders for purposes of tourism, business, or schooling. They are granted by the foreign consulate or embassy after submission of an application along with any fees, letter, invitations, or travel information they require. The visa is usually a stamp which is placed in the passport and is good for a specific duration.
Persons who were not born in the United States may have different qualifications in order to receive a passport or visa. Check with a good travel agent for your special needs.
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