Take Anxiety and Impatience Out of Holiday Air Travel |TheLedger.com

Take Anxiety and Impatience Out of Holiday Air Travel | TheLedger.com

Theme parks are bad enough but in my book, there's nothing worse than long lines at airports whenyou're already stressed by holiday travel (a long weekend with that cousin who always teased youmercilessly) and the kids don't want to let go of their juice box, blankie or stuffed giraffe at security.The line is so long, in fact, you're worried you'll miss your flight (that happened to us once inPhoenix). And you won't have time to get the kids anything to eat before you board because -- nosurprise -- there will be long lines at all the food kiosks.

And by all accounts, those lines are going to be particularly awful this holiday season. According toAirlines for America, the United States' oldest and largest airline trade association, more than 25million passengers are projected to fly over the 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period, from Fridaythrough Dec. 3. If you're flying on the busiest days -- Wednesday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, you'll have lotsof company -- 2.56 million passengers on Dec. 1 alone.

Maybe you can take some consolation in that AAA is reporting that, overall, Thanksgiving travel isdown slightly from last year, with the vast majority -- some 38.9 million of us -- getting to our Turkeydinners by car. Of course, that won't help if you're stuck on an interminable line at airport security,can't get a seat on the plane with your kids or miss your connection entirely.

No wonder 70 percent of travelers admit to being stressed by Thanksgiving travel, a newTripAdvisor poll found.

Take a deep breath -- and keep smiling. Believe me, getting upset won't help and if you're upset, thekids will get upset.

Want to get whisked through security? If you are flying for Christmas, you've got time to sign up forGlobal Entry (www.globalentry.gov), the trusted traveler network that allows you to make your way

quickly through special lines and customs by using automated kiosks at 97 domestic airportsthrough the TTSA Pre-check Program (www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck).

I felt like a VIP the first time I used the program.

Global Entry reduces wait times more than 70 percent with more than 75 percent of travelersprocessed in less than five minutes, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman.There are even partnerships with certain foreign countries to speed you through lines overseas. Nowonder more than a million people, including more than 33,000 kids and teens, have signed up. It'swell worth the hassle of filling out the online application, going to the airport to get fingerprintedand paying the $100 fee, which gets you in the program for five years.

"You don't want to wait in a long line at customs with five kids after a long flight," said AstridWomble, who was signing her kids up at JFK. "Forget the kids," she added, "my husband doesn'twant to wait either."

If you're thinking you don't travel overseas but would love to skip those domestic lines, you can ifyou have Global Entry. TSA is also planning to expand their TSA Pre Program by the end of the yearbut aren't yet taking applications. A plus to TSA Pre-check is that kids 12 and younger can gothrough the expedited lanes with you without paying the fee. Already, TSA says 18 million peoplehave experienced TSA Pre-check. The cost will be $85 for five years.

As for this week's holiday travel, the first thing you need to do is allow plenty of extra time. I know itsounds pretty simple but most of us don't account for the traffic getting to the airport, the extra timeit is going to take to park the car and those inevitably long security lines. You'll be less stressed ifyou're not worried about missing your flight.

Another simple thing you can do: Pack food and water bottles. Not only will you have more nutritiouseats on the flight but you won't be worried about getting the kids something to eat before you board.

I hate to say this but if you are flying with younger kids and need seats together, spring for economyplus. In many cases, that seems to be the only way to guarantee seats together, especially oncrowded flights.

Of course, you've got plenty of electronics to keep the kids engaged but when was the last time yousat next to your 3- or 13-year-old for three hours straight? Bring a favorite holiday story, a deck ofcards (what was your favorite card game when you were a kid?) or photos of the relatives they'regoing to visit.

The easiest way to de-stress the experience: Make the flight an adventure you are sharing.

[ For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com. ]

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