We all know how it is. Any mention of the state of airport travel today — especially the lines and the TSA — will inevitably elicit groans of frustration, eye rolls, and a raft of stories of security nightmares.
 
It’s true in many ways that traveling by plane in 2018 lacks much of the glamour and carefree effortless elegance of, say, 50 years ago. We live in a different world with much more complex problems that need to be addressed.
 
But since you have to go through the lines and security no matter what — how about making it as painless as possible? Here are some easy tips to help you breeze through your next security screening.  

1. Get organized. Sounds like stock advice, right? Here are some specifics that can shave precious minutes and hassle off your wait time.
   
   
   • Check your flight status before you get ready to leave your house, or download a smartphone app like TripIt that will automatically notify you of any changes to your itinerary.
     
     
   • Check in to your flight online. This is especially helpful if you are not checking any bags! 
     
     
   • Ed Hewitt, features editor for The Independent Traveler, offers this: Before you leave for the airport, put everything essential you need to check in and get through security — your ID, credit card and boarding pass, etc. — in an easily-accessible part of your wallet or bag. “This way, you don't waste your (and other people's) time fumbling around for them at the moment you need them.” Then, he says, “Pack out of reach anything that you will not need between your front door and your airplane seat. Clutter is the enemy of smooth passage through the airport.”
     
     
   • One savvy traveler recommends this trick: If you’re staying over in a hotel and have an early morning flight, take your watch or any jewelry, loose change, and any other small items you’d have to take out anyway (like portable electronics), and just put them in plastic baggies in your carry-on. That way, you save the time having to remember and gather them while in line, and they’re all together in one place when you’re through. TSA agents also reportedly appreciate this kind of forethought.
     
     
   • While you’re in line, make a mental note of how many bins you’ll need. Take a few seconds to plan out the most efficient way to get your stuff on the belt so you can go through, get dressed, and get out.

 

1. Get on the list. The TSA has a trusted traveler program called TSA Pre®  that is now available in many airports across the country. It has perks like not requiring shoe or laptop removal for a speedy trip through security.

 

1. Troubleshoot like a pro. When things don’t go as planned and you get delayed or a late flight means a missed connection — don’t panic. Here’s what you can have on hand to help make a messy situation much more bearable:
   
   
   • If you have a smartphone, make use of it. Find helpful apps (such as TripIt) that keep all your info organized, that keep you informed, and that have helpful names and numbers (like mine!) at your fingertips when you need them.
     
     
   • Program the numbers of your travel agent, airline, car rental service, hotel, and any other contact info into your phone. You can even temporarily organize them all under one name — for example, assign the “last name” of each item as “California Trip 2018,” and they’ll all appear listed in one spot in your contacts for easy access. This way, if a logistical emergency occurs, you have the ability to reach me so I can help you find additional flights, make cancellations, reschedule pick-up/drop-off times, or notify hosts or a front desk of a late arrival.

 
4.   Get Zen – or whatever your version of that is. When you have everything organized, and you know you’re ready to go, and all there is left to do is wait in line, make the most of it. Focus on the excitement you feel about your trip. Talk to your kids. Take deep breaths. If you’re not self-conscious, do some pre-tiny-airline-seat stretches. Strike up a conversation if you feel like it. Listen to a podcast. Get your mind in a place that’s positive and productive and set the tone for your trip to focus on what’s working and what you’re thankful for.
 
And, we know it’s tough sometimes, but don’t forget the one travel essential you cannot live without: patience. Everyone is in the same boat; everyone wants to get through. A smile and a “thank-you” never hurt, either. I’ve known many people, including myself, who’ve gotten unexpected happy surprises (baggage fees waived, bump up) just for being polite when everyone else was falling apart. See where it gets you!
 
 
Are you looking for help planning your next trip? Not only can I help you with security line advice – I can help you with everything that leads up to it and everything after! Contact me today and we can get started planning your best trip yet – to reach me, just click here.

It seems like every few months, a new travel app comes out, or some new website pops up promising the best deals ever.
 
And while certainly technology can make many things about travel more organized, the secret to the best trip of your life has been around much longer than aggregate travel sites. Because the secret to an awesome trip isn’t an app — it’s a human being.
 
Your Travel Agent has got the experience, the know-how, and the connections to help you design and plan a vacation that will create the best memories of your life. Here’s just a few of the things that make your certified Travel Agent the key to the perfect trip.
 
Your agent can save you time — as in, hours and hours of research, phone calls, emails, and online searching. She’s the one who knows the best spots to catch that breathtaking sunset on the beach. He’s got the inside scoop on which resorts give the best bulk discounts. She’s tracked the best time to look for plane or train or ferry tickets to your dream destination. She’s the one who knows when the crush of tourists will let up enough to allow you the most authentic experience possible. He’s got the answers to all those nitpicky questions about openings and closures, vaccination requirements and necessary documents, local customs and dress codes.
 
Your agent has access to deals and bookings that are not available to the general public, and sometimes can even snag free upgrades for you. People often assume that using a Travel Agent is more expensive than planning a trip on your own, and they are skeptical that hiring an agent can actually save them money. But this is the key: your agent has connections that you don’t. They have the inside track. The deals you spot on a website might be great — but they are also hit-and-miss, and they may or may not be in the sweet spot of what you’re looking for. So you might get a great deal on a hotel, but it might also be miles away from where you most wanted to stay. Your agent knows exactly where to go to find the deals — and has access and the ability to find bargains that line up with your ideal vacation.
 
If you’re planning a group trip, your agent is indispensable. Who else can find a way to accommodate health concerns, a variety of dietary preferences, and the needs of children, adults, and seniors on one amazing trip? Who else can make sure that the aunts who are best friends get adjoining rooms? Who else can ensure that all 16 of you get an unforgettable experience? All the details that give most of us headaches — these are the very things that a good agent thrives on taking care of and providing.
 
Many agents are on call 24/7 while you are traveling. There really is no price you can put on this kind of assurance and help. If you find yourself in Munich and you left your medications on the train, your agent can help you get set up again. If your passport gets stolen, your agent can help you get a replacement. If an emergency comes up and you need to re-route your trip, your agent is the one who can make those arrangements so you don’t have to stress about it.
 
For most agents out there, planning trips is so much more than just a job. They love what they do. They’re genuinely passionate about great travel. They love people, and they love creating the vacations that live on and on in fond memories and family conversations.  I would love to help you plan the trip of a lifetime, click here to head over to my website and send me an email or give me a call and let’s get started! 
 
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P.S. Do you have a friend or family member who loves to travel?  Please forward them this email and let them know how a Travel Agent can help them have the best trip of their life.  

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