Get Ready The Smart Way For Your Thanksgiving Trip
By Joyce Jackson
In a very short time Americans will be off in masses for family gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday. While staying home is the best advice the reality is that this holiday is the most heavily traveled in the country.
Regardless of the delays, exhaustion and memories of arguments from last year, we're all heading out to do it again.
You can get ready and be less stressed than last year with a few easy Thanksgiving travel tips.
Pack light. Carry one soft side bag. The one thig to count on at this time of year is long lines. Set your mind that delays will happen. If you pack light you can move around more easily while waiting for that late bus, train or plane.
Take a special book, magazine or DVD movie for those delay times. If you have something special to do while waiting the time goes much smoother. Pack low-sugar snacks and drinks. Travelers don't need a sugar rush while waiting or in cramped quarters.
Flying
Arrive at the airport two hours prior to scheduled flight departure time, both on the outbound and inbound trips. This is once you get into the terminal. Build in extra time to park your car. Remember, lots and parking resources will be filled so making a reservation at an off site parking facility will help. Most of them take holiday reservations with a deposit.
Stay Informed. Stay in touch with real-time flight status on the airline's web before heading to the airport. If you have an e-ticket the kiosks and skip ticket counter lines. Most airlines have these now so use them. Consider full-service curbside check-in if you have ski, snowboard, golf or sporting equipment.
Expect to stand in long lines. Expect planes to be jammed. On board stowage space will be critically limited so again, take only one small soft side bag to slip under the seat. If you are taking a gift leave it unwrapped. Most security checkpoints will now require you to unwrap wrapped gifts. Better yet, mail it on ahead a few days before your plane flight.
Driving
If you are hitting the road in your car and driving, make sure its in good working order. Check you oil, water, washer fluid and tire pressure. Make sure you pack emergency supplies in case you get stranded. Take fresh containers of drinking water. If you are in colder areas take blankets and warm jackets, tire chains de-icer.
Plan your trip so you do not return on Sunday. It' not recommended to drive on the SUnday after Thanksgiving. It is the worst, most traffic-heavy day of the year. Try leaving Saturday or staying through Monday.
Take games. Better yet, if your vehicle or laptop has a DVD player, take movies. There's no shame in a quiet, fight-free ride on the way home.
See you on the road!
About the Author: Joyce Jackson travels, writes and lectures extensively on simple, easy but great travel preparation so that you have a great trip each and every time with information, resources and articles on her website at
www.travel-packing-tips.com
Source: www.isnare.com
White Plains, New York
White Plains is the birthplace of New York State and the County seat of Westchester since 1778. This city of 48,400 residents includes Fortune 500 firms and upscale retail stores. A new upscale mall, The Westchester, features 198 shops and eateries. Anchor stores are Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom Department stores. Government offices, including a new Federal Court House, are part of the downtown area. White Plains is also a designated TREE CITY USA community.
White Plains is 22 miles north of New York City, midway between Long Island Sound on the east and the Tappan Zee Bridge on the west. It is easily accessible by train, bus or an excellent network of major highways. Metro-North Railroad provides an easy 40-minute express commute into midtown Manhattan.
White Plains has several private golf clubs, a public golf course, many clay tennis courts, five platform tennis courts, several baseball and softball diamonds and an outstanding recreation program serving youth through senior citizens. In addition, it boasts one of the finest YMCA and YWCA programs in the country.
Famous People from White Plains
- James Arthur "Art" Monk (born December 5, 1957) (football player)
- Jonathan Larson (born February 4, 1960) (plawright - Rent)
- Jason Cascone (FDNY firefighter - featured in Faces of September 11th)
- Matisyahu (Matthew Miller) Hasidic reggae singer
- George Ortega (born September 12, 1957) (Producer of "The Happiness Show")
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